Lara Parker of Dark Shadows

The Halloween season is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Collinwood and the Collins estate.

For those who dashed home to catch Dark Shadows after school, you're in good company. Dark Shadows boasted a full roster of supernatural beings: Vampires, Werewolves, Warlocks, and most notably, Witches. Lara Parker, who portrayed Angelique, is remembered fondly, especially following her passing in 2023.

Dark Shadows was a staple in our home, offering the perfect blend of mystery to keep viewers eager for the next episode. Angelique and Barnabas were central figures, and Lara Parker did more than just portray a terrifying Witch; she infused her character with a relatable humanity that garnered sympathy.

Lara, along with the Dark Shadows cast, often visited Sea View Terrace in Newport, Rhode Island, which also hosted a Dark Shadows convention every so often.

Sea View (photo on the left) served as the stand-in for Collinwood, while the Lyndhurst Mansions in New York (photo on the right) represented the Collins estate in the films "House of Dark Shadows" and "Night of Dark Shadows."

In "Dark Shadows," Lara Parker's character, Angelique, was the primary antagonist, cursing Barnabas to live eternally as a vampire. It had the essence of a soap opera but was even more captivating.

Lara Parker was not only a skilled actress but also an educator, who earned her master's in writing and authored four "Dark Shadows" novels.

Although the series has been remade numerous times, none can match the original, and Lara Parker was indeed the epitome of that!  Thank you, Lara, you are truly missed.

Happy Halloween Month!

Thank you, John Wilson, for the amazing photos!

Blessings Heidi and Jane!