December is here with celebrations and good news for you!!
All interested preservationists are invited to another in the bi-monthly Conversations About Historic Preservation, happening Friday, December 2, 2016 from 1-3 p.m. at the Port Penn Interpretive Center. Jake Miller and David Orr, Presenters. Port Penn Interpretive Center.Note: If coming from the north, please come down Route 13 to the ChesDel Diner and turn left, following the road into Port Penn. The road to Port Penn from Delaware City is blocked by road construction. The Interpretive Center is located at the intersection of Routes 9 and 2 in Port Penn, Delaware. This is a Preservation 50 Ad Hoc Committee organized event. More information
Claymont Delaware
What better way to start the holidays than by attending the Claymont Christmas Parade, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. on Philadelphia Pike from Maple Lane Elementary to Darley Rd., culminating on the celebration of the Christmas Weed legend. Believe me, it's been famous since 1993. There's even a song about it. (Historic Robinson House in Claymont)
Wilmington
December 2-4 -Rockwood Park in Wilmington invites you to bring your family out for the 16th annual Holiday Open House with entertainment, children’s activities, costumed characters, refreshments and FREE photos with Santa! Also a Secret Santa Shoppe, tours of the holiday display in the museum and a festive light display in the gardens surrounding the Mansion and Carriage House. This is a FREE EVENT, however, to help those less fortunate, please bring a nonperishable food item or new mittens, hats, or scarves for the Giving Tree. Schedule here.
Dover
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“A Victrola for Christmas.” Guided tours examine the holiday marketing-strategies of Eldridge Reeves Johnson of the Victor Talking Machine Company including advertisements posted in newspapers and magazines in the early 1900s, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings of holiday music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Saturday, Dec. 3
“Historic Holiday Traditions.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Latecia Prophet examines holiday traditions of the 18th century. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054
Lewes
One of Lewes’ most beloved holiday traditions – the 43rd Annual Christmas Tour of Lewes, benefiting The Lewes Historical Society is set for Saturday, December 3, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Advance tickets are $25.00 each; tickets purchased the day of the tour are $30.00. Children under 12 are FREE when accompanied by an adult. And more good news is that after 384 years, one of the oldest and most historic cities in the country is finally getting its own museum and community center. With the support of the City of Lewes and a lead gift of $500,000 from the Ma-Ran Foundation, the former Lewes Public Library building is being converted into a 12,500 square foot museum and community center, to be renovated and staffed by The Lewes Historical Society. (Ryves Holt House)
Newark
Recently, the Delaware Society for the Preservation of Antiquities was notified that it would be receiving a $47,610 grant from the Longwood Foundation for repair of deteriorating mortar joints in the brick façade at the gables and chimneys of the Hale-Byrnes House, located at 606 Stanton-Christiana Road in Newark, De. Help them celebrate by attending one or all of the following events: On Saturday Dec.3, from 11:00PM - 5:00 p.m., visit the annual Holiday Open House. Then, later at 7:30 p.m. theAmerican Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware will present a talk about Captain Robert Kirkwood with Chris Mlynarczyk. $5 at the door includes coffee & dessert.
Also on Sun. Dec. 4 from 4-6 p.m. the This Place Matters: Preservation 50 Speakers' Series presents a talk on Belmont Hall in Smyrna, Delaware by Missy Vaughan at Hale-Byrnes.
New Castle
Delaware Day is almost here! Since 1933, the governors of Delaware have proclaimed December 7 as Delaware Day in honor of that day in 1787, when Delaware became the first state to ratify the Federal Constitution, thus making by attending “1784-1787: Continental Congress to Constitution.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Bob Vander Decker. Final segment of “The Founding of America in One Year,” a year-long series that examines important local and national events that led to the founding of the United States. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
“Spirit of Christmas in New Castle.” One of the best preserved Colonial-era towns in America will feature tours of historic homes bedecked in holiday decorations, Dickens-themed holiday activities, re-enactments, programs at museums including the New Castle Court House Museum, crafts, musical entertainment and more. Festivities will conclude at 5 p.m. with the annual Christmas tree lighting at Market Square. Downtown New Castle. 302-328-3279.
Kennett Square
The Kennett Holiday Village Market is a curated open air artisan market filled with unique holiday gift options from local and regional vendors. Enjoy food trucks, ice sculptures, seasonal craft workshops, music, Christmas tree & greenery sales and one-of-kind holiday shopping at the enchanting Creamery of Kennett Square (401 Birch Street) on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th from 10am to 4pm.
West Chester
On December 7 from 5-8 p.m., you will have a chance to shop is historic West Chester, Pennsylvania and 15% of your purchases will go to the Barclay Grounds Preservation Alliance (BGPA) .For a list of participating merchants, click on the Holiday Shopping for a Cause website and learn about how the Alliance is paying back a loan guarantee that saved the last of West Chester’s 19th C. estates. Also known as the Joshua Hartshorne Estate, I attend the monthly meetings of the Chester County Preservation Network Board of Directors in the estate house, now an office building. (Barclay Grounds courtesy Brandywine Conservancy)
Philadelphia
Dec. 3 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia as they host “Sounds of the Season”, sponsored by WRTI Radio, and celebrate the musical diversity of the city with participation by Opera Philadelphia, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos, the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts, doo wop group The Quiet Storm, and the Mummers. Participating houses include Cedar Grove, Laurel Hill Mansion, Lemon Hill Mansion, Mount Pleasant, Historic Strawberry Mansion and Woodford Mansion. See “Special Events” for more information. (Lemon Hill)
Don't forget to take a look at my website for current listings with a vintage heritage, The Rolling Prairie House in Bear, Delaware, and The Chambers Mansion in North Wilmington, which has just had sweeping changes in the basement giving it a pristine update!
Merry Christmas to all!
Remember, Carolyn Roland is Your Older and Historic Homes Resource in Delaware and Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania!
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