From looking at artifacts to testing the evidence.
The Missiles and More Museum is in the Historical Assembly Building on Channel Boulevard. If your group enjoys spending an afternoon working out what an object was used for, I have a good assignment for after supper. At your rental, I bring my own collection. Guests help examine what I put on the table and can offer theories about what follows. Expert opinions are encouraged, particularly when they disagree.
Make it a mystery dinner with a proper ending.
Finish the meal before the séance begins. Ten to fifteen adults around one table is my suggestion; fewer is fine, especially if it keeps everybody close to the action. Two uninterrupted hours give the stories time to develop and the skeptics time to get into trouble. This is a theatrical comedy show. Neither a museum artifact nor a deceased relative is required to appear.
If somebody has to leave soon after dessert, a shared close-up set followed by optional card magic fits better. When you text, name the actual town on the rental agreement. Topsail Island is a fine destination; Topsail Beach is the town this particular set of instructions will get me to.