Historic Homes E-News December 2017

Delaware Events

Holiday Craft Show and Taste of the Holidays at the Delaware Contemporary  (formerly the DCCA) will be Friday, December 1, from 5-9 p.m as part of the First Friday Art Loop in Wilmington. This will include the annual Holiday Craft Show and Taste of the Holidays with $1 samples of spirits to benefit Preston's March for Energy. On exhibit will be MFA opening reception, open artist studios, music, food trucks

 First Saturdays in the First State presents Happy Holidays December 2 in Dover with several events happening from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 2nd annual holiday celebration is a special “kids only” holiday shop, crafts, performances from children’s choirs, food and more at the Biggs Museum of American Art. Then, Good Cheer: 18th Century Tavern Life at the John Bell House on The Green when you can come out of the cold and draw up a chair by the fire to explore 18th century tavern life and culture: drinks, food and pastimes. Guided Tours of Legislative Hall will also be available, at which time the Delaware State Constitution in 1792 will be discussed.  At 10 a.m. at the John Bell House on The Green, a traditional 18th century type Mummer’s play will be performed by the Campus Community First State Club. This folk theater was used to entertain audiences in exchange for food or money.

There's more: Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary: A Country Tale at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. This program discusses the early roots of Country Music. Listen to early recordings of “hillbilly music”. Space is limited, reserve your space by calling 302-739-3262.  Also, from 10-3 join a Stories of The Green Walking Tour at the John Bell House on The Green. And last, but not least, join the Holiday Open House from 10-1 at Woodburn, (pictured)  the Governor's House.

Old Brandywine Village at 19th and Market in Wilmington will host a"Light up the Village" holiday concert with music by the Choir School of Delaware in the plaza in the triangle and a reception at the Junior League of Wilmington across the street. The League's historic building was once home to the Lea family of millers on the Brandywine Creek.  It starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 11.

The Hale-Byrnes House in Stanton, Delaware invites you to 2 events Saturday, December 2: From 11-5 is the Annual Holiday Open House, Free admission; and from 7:30-9:30 p.m. the American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware is sponsoring a talk by William Welsch on "Christmas Night 1776:How They Crossed." $5 fee includes coffee and dessert.

The Spirit of Christmas on December 9 in Old New Castle is a town-wide celebration, sponsored by the New Castle Presbyterian Church, presents private homes and churches decorated for the season, and musical events throughout the day. Rain or shine.  Programs available at the NC Presbyterian Church, 25 E. 2nd Street.  From 10am-4pm, admission will be free at the Amstel House (decorated for a traditional colonial holiday) and the Dutch House (featuring a celebration of St. Nicholas' Eve).

Yuletide at Winterthur is an event to which I look forward  and wonder what new twist they will put on the past. They say we will see holiday traditions from the 1800s to the early 20th century, including displays of: the earliest types of colorful lights decorating house exteriors; a dollhouse (pictured) a full-room scene of Clement Moore’s Christmas classic A Visit from St. Nicholas; the du Pont family holiday celebrations; and the evolution of Christmas trees over the decades from the 1880s to 1960s.

Pennsylvania Events

The Chadds Ford Historical Society presents Twilight Tidings at the Tavern, on Saturday, December 2 at our Barns-Brinton House (630 Baltimore Pike (U.S. Route 1), Chadds Ford, PA 19317) at  4-5:30 PM and 6-7:30 PM. Celebrate the season with a historic look at the four major holidays of the 18th century winter season: Christmas, New Year's, Twelfth Night and Candlemas. This 90-minute open house presents the 1714 tavern at your own pace, a chance to meet guides in authentic colonial clothing, learn about holiday celebrations of the 18th century, and enjoy samples of historic holiday foods and complimentary beverages like wassail, mulled wine and punch. The winter calendar of the 18th century was not dominated by the celebration of Christmas. New Year's and Twelfth Night were often more festive, and raucous, holiday celebrations that may have lasted for days. Tickets are $20 ($15 for CFHS Members), and must be purchased in advance. Space is limited, and these tours will sell out!

Wednesday, December 6 you can join the Friends of Independence NHP along with Shane Confectionery for a program and tour on confectioners of Philadelphia. It will start the night at the Merchants' Exchange Building for a  program on holiday traditions and learn about a 19th century confectioner named Charles Mercier.  Visit Shane Confectionery on Market Street and  tour the building, learn  about its history, and discuss the holiday candy traditions in Philadelphia.   Time: 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Merchants' Exchange Building - 143 s. 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106. Cost is $25 and early registration is required to attend the event To R.S.V.P: Click Here or call the Friends’ office at 215-861-4971.

The Mill at Anselma is holding a Christmas Candlelight Tour on December 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For information call 610-827-1906 or visit their website. This National Historic Landmark  Mill is located at 1730 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs, PA 1942

A Sugartown Christmas. Saturday, December 9th from 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. bring your family to Historic Sugartown at 690 Sugartown Rd. in Malvern for some holiday fun!

Explore the historic village and hear about Victorian Christmas traditions, decorate cookies and a gingerbread village, and try your hand at making Victorian-style ornaments and Christmas cards, visit with Santa, shop our holiday vendors. Admission: $6 per person. Children ages 2 & younger admitted free                               

Good news on the historic listings front: The Anderson Family are now officially owners of the Chambers Mansion in Gordon Heights, North Wilmington. Congratulations on buying one of my favorite houses EVER!

Available now: The James Armor House, c. 1800 estate home at 3 Courtney Rd., Sedgely Farms, Greenville, Delaware. Offered at $899,000. This National Register listed homes sits on a private almost 2.5 acre lot with subdivision possibilities. Contact Carolyn at 302-593-5111 for an appointment to preview this lovely historic home. 

If you are looking to buy or sell an historic home in Delaware or Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, contact Carolyn Roland, Your Older and Historic Homes Resource.