Deck the Halls of Hearthside.

DECK THE HALLS AND BRING ON THE HOLIDAYS! 
Four Holiday Events Scheduled at Hearthside  

  

As the holiday season moves into full swing, Hearthside is getting all decked out for our celebration of the history and traditions of Christmas.

This season, Hearthside will help spread holiday cheer with four public events, each with a different focus, giving visitors lots of opportunities to join us:

A Classic Christmas Celebration on Sunday, December 5th;

Step through the door and back to Christmas times of long ago.  On Sunday, December 5th,

 

our guides in period attire welcome you to tour the house at your leisure and enjoy beautifully appointed Christmas trees with delicate ornaments, gaily decorated mantels, a dining room elegantly appointed with gilded décor, garlands adorning staircases and doorways, and brightly colored poinsettia plants throughout. 

  

Festive holiday music will be provided by Liz Ammerman, our house harpist, and our pianist, Natalya Gonchavora.

 

  Be sure to bring the kids to see Santa, who will be visiting from 4:30-6:30 p.m.  and bring your camera!  He's the real Santa (just check his driver's license and credit cards...it says Santa Claus)!

The traditions of Christmas as we know today, and even Santa Claus, originated during the 1860s.  Yet, during that time we were in the midst of one of the most turbulent and significant periods of our nation's history, the Civil War.  With the commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War beginning in 2011, Hearthside is kicking off this special year with A Civil War Christmas in the Camp, a look at how the holiday was celebrated by the soldiers in the camp.  

On Saturday, December 11th, several Civil War re-enactors will set up an encampment on the grounds of Hearthside.  In general, winter time was a time of military inaction during the Civil War, as the armies of both sides would hunker down in the camp to wait out the winter.  Santa Claus, as depicted by Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly 1863, was quite patriotic, wearing a blue suit with stars and stripes on it.  The Harper's Weekly cover with the illustration of Santa Claus visiting the soldiers in a Union camp was designed with the hope that it might raise Union morale and had been ordered by President Lincoln.  Nast went on to draw many more Santa Claus illustrations, which became the image of Santa we enjoy today.

The most treasured present a soldier could get was a new pair of socks, quite understandable since socks wore out and were always wet with the miles of walking through rain and mud.  At the Hearthside encampment, there will be a Christmas tree and woolen socks hung on pine roping.  And a Civil War Santa Claus, just like the one that Thomas Nast illustrated for Harper's Weekly, will be in the camp.

Visitors are invited to talk with the soldiers in the camp and learn how Americans celebrated Christmas during the Civil War. Smell the chestnuts roasting over the open fire.  Then all are welcome into the house to warm up and appreciate how Christmas on the home front might have been celebrated.  

Self-guided tours through Hearthside's gaily decorated rooms are offered while enjoying music played on the antique dulcimer. 

Hours are from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  No reservations required.  $5/adult; no charge for 16 and under. 

The Hearthside Gift Shop will also be open during the event.

Bring your child to Hearthside on Sunday, December 12th and make special holiday memories with traditional stories that will keep the magic in Christmas for both of you.  Gather around in the lavishly decorated Drawing Room for a reading of The Story of Santa Claus, a magnificently illustrated fable that explains how Nicholas Claus became transformed into Saint Nicholas, how he journeyed to the North Pole to set up a toy workshop, his relationship with the elves and reindeer, and how he came to embody the Christmas spirit.  And to complete the reading will be one of the oldest and well-known Christmas poems, The Night Before Christmas.  The jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, will join in and visit with the children. 

 

Festivities include the reading, a sing-along of Christmas songs played on our antique piano, hot chocolate and cookies, Santa Claus and a small favor for each child.  Of course, a trip through the house to see all the decorations is also part of the event along with shopping in the Hearthside Gift Shop for a special gift!   Our special guest reader is Lincoln's most eloquent Charles Cox.  Seating is limited.  Two seatings offered: 12:45 - 2:30 or 3:00-4:45 p.m.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.

 

Wondering what to do once those Christmas festivities are over, or you have a house full of guests from out of town and are looking for a special night out?  Why not consider an AFTER Christmas visit to Hearthside to view the decorations before the season is over.  On Tuesday evening, December 28^th, Hearthside will open its doors between 6 and 9 p.m. 

Visitors will be greeted by costumed interpreters

as well as beautiful holiday melodies played by the Christ Church Bell Choir. 

 

Guided tours through the house will be given, so you'll get a chance to learn about the legendary tales of Hearthside, all done by the soft glow of candlelight.

  Here's a great chance to stop by if you missed the earlier opening in December, Reservations are required for tours starting at 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 p.m.  Limited capacity.  Admission is $5/adult; 16 and under free.  Call 726-0597 to reserve your spot.

 I hope to see you on these joyfullest occasions. Happy Holidays!