There's No Place Like Historic Sites for the Holidays
Colleen Cheslak-Poulton (202) 367-1861 x7234
(Washington, D.C.) — 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 13 memorable locations.
Throughout December: A Gilded Age Christmas at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg, N.Y.
Time travel to the Gilded Age and tour the elegant mansion of Staatsburgh as it shows off its lavish original interiors and holiday spirit. While on tour, children can participate in a scavenger hunt and search for decorated mouse houses. Tours are scheduled every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December. Learn more.
Throughout December: Night Before Christmas Wagon Ride at Caledon State Park, King George, Va.
Sleigh the day by riding through the scenic Caledon State Park on a wagon adorned with Christmas lights. Bundle up, stay warm with hot cocoa, and look forward to a reading of the classic holiday tale 'Twas the Night Before Christmas while sitting by the tree at the visitor center. Rides are scheduled for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December until Christmas. Learn more.
December 19: CSS Neuse Museum- Cookies and Crafts: Christmas Open House, Kinston, N.C.
Join the CSS Neuse Museum for a Christmas Open House and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, delicious cookies, crafts and other activities. Learn about the history of some of today’s Christmas holiday traditions and create your own Victorian Christmas card and ornament, which will make for a unique and memorable keepsake. Father Christmas will also be available to take pictures! Learn more.
December 20-23, 27-30: Holidays Through the Ages at Rippon Lodge, Woodbridge, Va.
Lay your eyes upon interiors and exteriors richly decorated for the holidays and enjoy an in-depth exploration of seasonal festivities over the centuries. Guided tours take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and guests are advised to pre-purchase tickets. Learn more.
December 20-22: Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va.
Stare into the sky as holiday cheer comes in the form of spectacular fireworks over the Potomac River at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Meander among festive lights and chat with soldiers at an 18th-century winter encampment. Plus, you can’t miss Aladdin the Camel – a special holiday guest. Note: Anyone with Christmas Illuminations tickets can visit the grounds for free – during regular daytime admission – in December, January and February. Learn more.
December 21: Christmas Storytime by the Fire, Weaverville, N.C.
Dip candles, sip on hot cider, munch on cookies and gather by the fire for story time at the Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace State Historic Site. Stop by the site anytime, but note that readings will take place at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Learn more.
December 21: Old Fashioned Holiday Weekend at Foster-Armstrong House, Montague, N.J.
Celebrate the season with a holiday open house at New Jersey’s Foster-Armstrong House. Scope out decorated rooms with themed trees, check out exhibits and pick up a unique, last-minute gift at the gift shop! Learn more.
December 21: Winter Vistas, Poe Field - "We Bury Our Dead”, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
Explore Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park with a special 90-minute, less than 1-mile, ranger-led hike learning about the fighting that swirled around the farm of Larkin Poe on September 19 and 20, 1863. This program will begin at the Chickamauga Visitor Center, then car caravan to Poe Field, where the walking tour will begin. The lack of foliage will allow tour-goers to see the ground better and gain greater insight into these events of 1863. Learn more.
December 21-22: A Dunbar Christmas, Dayton, Ohio
Catch the final weekend of “A Dunbar Christmas” at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Visitor Center to celebrate the winter holidays. Tour the Dunbar House with a ranger, welcomed at the door by singers performing period songs. There will be historical reenactors present in the house, playing the roles of Matilda Dunbar, Paul's mother, and even the famous poet Paul Laurence Dunbar himself. Then, enjoy ranger talks at the visitor center to learn how Christmas holidays were celebrated during Dunbar's life. Children big and small can craft turn-of-the-century holiday ornaments that are inspired by Dunbar's winter poems. Learn more.
December 25: Christmas Day Crossing, Washington Crossing, Pa.
Gather on the banks of the Delaware River to watch the reenactment of George Washington’s daring 1776 Christmas night river crossing. During this Christmas Day event, several hundred reenactors in Continental military dress will listen to an inspiring speech by General Washington and then row across the river in replica Durham boats. Do note that river crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants; regardless, speeches and commemorative activities will still occur. Learn more.
December 28, January 1-2: Battle of Stones River Anniversary Events, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
On December 28, join the Murfreesboro City Parks Department on property that was preserved by the American Battlefield Trust for the first ever major event on this site – where desperate fighting raged between the Nashville Pike and the Stones River during the afternoon of December 31, 1862. Aside from interpretation, there will be firing demonstrations by U.S. & Confederate Infantry and Union Artillery.
On January 1, explore the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation on the war, its outcomes and on our society today. Programs will begin at the visitor center. The day’s activities will include a walk through Stones River National Cemetery and a special caravan tour through the heart of the battlefield where formerly enslaved people created a community following the Civil War.
On January 2, join rangers for talks to hear about soldier accounts to mark the anniversary of the final day of the Battle of Stones River. Union artillery demonstrations will also take place. All activities on this day will take place at the McFadden Farm.
December 28: Battles of Trenton Reenactments and “The Trouble with Trenton”, Trenton, N.J.
There are two Battles of Trenton that ultimately shaped the destiny of the American Revolution and our nation. This year, the battles will be reenacted in the streets of downtown Trenton on December 28. Later in the day, join the Old Barracks Museum for “The Trouble with Trenton” interactive puppet shows at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Warren Street Plaza. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. to explore and a musket demo will take place at 1 p.m. Learn more.
January 5: Experience the Battle of Princeton, Princeton, N.J.
Journey to January 3, 1777, to a clash between American Patriots and British Regulars on the farms of William and Thomas Clarke. This reenactment of the final battle of the Ten Crucial Days of 1776-77 will feature British and American cannons, troop movements, musket firing and a moving narration at today’s Princeton Battlefield State Park. To commemorate those soldiers who fought and died, a memorial wreath-laying ceremony will conclude the event. 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 nearly 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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