Have a Happy and Historic Holiday Season With These Events Around the Country
Jared Herr, jherr@battlefields.org
This holiday season, historic sites across the country are celebrating with festive and educational activities for all. The American Battlefield Trust encourages Americans to step back in time and embrace the unique opportunities to glimpse year-concluding events through a historical lens at these twelve memorable locations. You may also find a location near you hosting our acclaimed American Revolution Experience exhibit this holiday season!
Throughout December: Mount Vernon By Candlelight, Mount Vernon, Va.
Take a candlelit guided tour and hear about holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia. Learn about the build-up to the American Revolution as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the year 1775. Learn more.
Throughout December: A Gilded Age Christmas at Staatsburg State Historic Site, Staatsburg, N.Y.
Staatsburg State Historic Site will present A Gilded Age Christmas from November 28 through December 30, featuring lavish decorations on two floors of the Gilded Age mansion. The decorations create a stunning and festive touring experience in the Beaux-Arts country home, one of the great estates along the Hudson River. Learn more.
Throughout December: Holidays at the Newport Mansions, Newport, R.I.
Surround yourself with the magic of the Newport Mansions in all their festive holiday finery! It's a beloved Newport tradition your family will love. The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Chateau-sur-Mer will welcome visitors with spectacular holiday displays. Nearly 30 Christmas trees are exquisitely decorated to complement the décor and theme of each room, like Mr. Vanderbilt's tree in The Breakers, ornamented with trains and top hats! Hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements add color, warmth and life. Learn more.
December 5-6: Heritage Farm Christmas Village, Huntington W.Va.
Enjoy a spectacular lighted Appalachian village and all your favorite Christmas activities! Come see Heritage Farm Museum and Village transformed into a winter wonderland! Seeing the buildings trimmed with lights, hearing Christmas music as you walk through the village. Learn more.
December 6: Castle by Candlelight, Youngstown N.Y.
A festive holiday event with the 18th-century fort lit by candlelight, historic reenactors showing colonial-era and early American life (fur trading, quill writing, period crafts), holiday cooking demonstrations, musket and cannon salutes. Learn more.
December 6: Camp Nelson Christmas Campfire Program, Nicholasville, Ky.
Join the National Park Service at Camp Nelson National Monument around the campfire for their event: "Even While War Still Rages... Ought It Not To Be A Merry Christmas?" Usher in the holiday season with park staff and explore celebrations of Christmas during the Civil War Era. Learn more.
December 6-7: Gettysburg Christmas Festival at Lee's Headquarters, Gettysburg, Penn.
Step back in time inside the historic home during the annual Gettysburg Christmas Festival, hosted by the Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center, in conjunction with the American Battlefield Trust. Interpreters will be on-site and available to answer questions and tell the stories of this crucial site, along with activities for the kids. Learn more.
December 12: North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources: A Light in the Darkest of Night, Raleigh, N.C.
This free program allows for self-guided exploration and meditation. The visitor center and gift shop will remain open during the course of the evening to also allow a chance for a little holiday shopping. Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson will be offering visitors the chance to experience a peaceful evening amongst the ruins of St. Philips Church as it is decorated in its holiday finest, with candlelight and greenery. Learn more.
December 13: Christmas Comes to Currie, Currie, N.C.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Moores Creek National Battlefield will hold a “Christmas Comes to Currie” event. Park staff, volunteers and other living historians will offer a variety of programs and demonstrations focused on the celebration of Christmas in the 18th century. Colonial demonstrations will include Christmas cooking, playing 18th-century toys and games, candle making, colonial music and more. Learn more.
December 14: Witness the Crossing that Saved the Revolution, Washington Crossing, Penn.
Each December, thousands of people gather on the banks of the Delaware River to watch the reenactment of George Washington’s daring 1776 Christmas night river crossing. During the event, several hundred reenactors in Continental military dress listen to an inspiring speech by General Washington and then row across the river in replica Durham boats. The public has two opportunities to view the reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Learn more.
December 20-31: Christmastide in Virginia: Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Yorktown, Va.
Grab your family and friends and join in the revelry during Christmastide in Virginia. Glimpse 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions through festive interpretive programs, fancy cooking, caroling and musical entertainment. The holiday festivities happen at both museums, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Experience immersive exhibition galleries that lead to interpretive activities in re-created outdoor settings reminiscent of early Virginia. Learn more.
December 27: Battles of Trenton Reenactments, Trenton, N.J.
There are two major Battles of Trenton that shaped the destiny of the American Revolution and our nation. This year, the battles will be reenacted in the streets of downtown Trenton. The first battle reenactment starts at 11 a.m. at the Battle of Trenton Monument, with the second reenactment starting at 3 p.m. in Mill Hill Park. Learn more.
The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.
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