For a decade, I had the privilege of managing the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, a stunning historic gem in Mobile. During my tenure, I wore many hats, all in the spirit of raising funds for this beloved nonprofit, which operates under the Exploreum of Mobile’s umbrella.

In 2002, I launched one of my most exciting ventures at the Bragg —THE MANSION OF MYSTERY: Murder at the Bragg. This series of immersive murder mystery dinners brought laughter, intrigue, and, most importantly, additional revenue to the mansion. As a volunteer-led initiative, every dollar raised went directly to the Bragg. The program quickly became a crowd favorite, and at its peak, we were staging up to 12 performances a month, carefully scheduling them on evenings  when the Bragg was not booked for any other event to maximize the mansion’s earning potential.

When I stepped down as manager in October 2007, I assumed that these wildly popular productions would continue at the Bragg. However, the Exploreum opted to discontinue the program, and just like that, our murder mysteries seemed destined for the archives.

Or so I thought.

At my home, the  phone started ringing. Companies and individuals who had booked murder mystery events—some as corporate holiday parties—reached out, urging me to continue the shows. With such enthusiasm and demand, I took the leap and founded Mobile Mystery Dinners, LLC.

The next challenge? Finding a new home. After scouting numerous venues, I found the perfect partner in Judi Gulledge, Executive Director of the Carnival Museum of Mobile. In December 2007, we joined forces, and for nearly a decade, Mobile Mystery Dinners thrived at the museum. In 2016, we moved  Mobile Mystery Dinners to my venue, The Azalea Manor on Dauphin Street, where we staged our productions until October 2019. We are now very happy to be headquartered at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water Street, 36602.

Mobile Mystery Dinners continues to entertain with both private and public performances. We cater to a variety of events—corporate gatherings, fundraisers, special occasions—you name it. Whether we bring the show to you or you join us at The Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel,  we guarantee an evening filled with suspense, laughter, and just the right amount of mischief.

Want a sneak peek? Our Facebook page is filled with fantastic photos and videos from past performances:  You can find us at: www.facebook.com/mobilemysterydinners.

For more information or to book a show, call 251-865-7398.

Virginia McKean