‘A Magical Christmas Eve’ Exhibit at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Starts Friday, Nov 23

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Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum Christmas

Photo by Sarah Grote Photography

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion’s Christmas Tree

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The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum kicks off the Holiday Season the day after Thanksgiving with a new exhibition entitled, A Magical Christmas Eve at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, which will open at noon on Friday, Nov. 23.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum Christmas

Photo by Sarah Grote Photography

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion’s Christmas Tree

The exhibit shows examples of Christmas trees and holiday decorations from Christmases long, long ago and not so long ago.

an announcement from Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

During Queen Victoria’s reign, Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree in England, a tradition that became very popular in the U.S. in the 1850s. For the past 30 years, visitors from all across the region have come to the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum to learn about this holiday tradition and immerse in its splendor and beauty.

The story of the day before Christmas at the Mansion will start with an overview of this holiday celebration, decade by decade, from the 1850s to the 1930s. The Dining Room will display a Christmas Eve feast, and throughout the Museum, displays of tabletop as well as tall, lavishly decorated trees will welcome visitors to one of the most cherished holiday destinations in New England.

During the 1860s gift-giving made its way into American homes, and presents were placed among the branches of small, tabletop Christmas trees, wrapped in brown paper or cloth along with mostly homemade ornaments, including gingerbread cookies, nuts, and candied fruits that children were encouraged to pull off the tree and eat on Christmas Day. Preparations for the celebration, including food and decorations, were activities involving the whole family.

By the 1870s however, the tree grew larger and taller, store-bought glass decorations embellished the branches, and on Christmas Eve gifts were placed under the beautifully adorned trees.

The exhibit, A Magical Christmas Eve at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, curated by Trustee Mimi Findlay and the LMMM Curatorial Committee will capture the enchantment and excitement of the night before Christmas and explore Christmas Eve as it was celebrated by the Lockwood and the Mathews families.

The Mansion will also feature 21st century holiday decorations with magnificent trees and seasonal displays by Trustee and renowned interior designers Victoria Vandamm of Vandamm Interiors, Marcia Taylor-Reid of Taylor Reid Design and Danna DiElsi owner of The Silk Touch, who will adorn the Herter Brothers’ grand Victorian staircase with white poinsettias and shimmering gold and silver garlands.

If You’re Going …

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is at 295 West Ave. in Norwalk.

OPENING WEEKEND Nov. 23 – Nov. 25 TOUR TIMES:
12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm

Tour times:  12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm
To purchase tickets click here
No Refunds

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