The holidays at Missouri State Historic Sites
November 22, 2008
Jefferson City, MO
The holiday season is filled with celebrations that are full of traditions. Enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of some of these traditions in Missouri state historic sites. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, these events range from candlelight tours to open houses serving up Christmas traditions with a foreign flavor.
Dec. 3, 5, 10 and 12—Capitol by Candlelight Tours, First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles, 636-940-3322. Visitors can tour Missouri’s first Capitol as it would have been in the 1820s. From 6 to 8 p.m., guides will lead visitors through each room, lit only by candles, and talk about history from period-dressed interpreters. Refreshments will be served.
Dec. 4—Historic Holiday Candlelight Tour, Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, St. Louis, 314-340-5790. The historic site is participating in this six-stop holiday tour, which takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. For more information or tickets, call 314-421-4689.
Dec. 6—Christmas on the Farm, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, Lawson, 816-580-3387. The historic site will host an 1870s Christmas celebration from 2 until 7 p.m. at the decorated Watkins home. Activities of the day will include caroling, the reading of family letters, the flaming of the plum pudding and an opportunity for children to visit with Father Christmas. Children’s crafts and live traditional holiday music will be featured in the site’s visitor center. This event is free and open to the public.
Dec. 6—Christmas Special Event, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, Lexington, 660-259-4654. The Anderson House will be decorated for a Victorian Christmas with food, music and festivities abound. This event, running from 5 to 8 p.m., is being held in conjunction with the Lexington Woman’s Club’s Christmas Homes Tour on Dec. 6 and 7. The Anderson House will be open free both days.
Dec. 6 and 7—Weihnachtsfest (Christmas Open House), Deutschheim State Historic Site, Hermann, 573-486-2200. This traditional German holiday event will feature the Strehly House decorated with seven different styles of German Christmas trees. German treats such as springerle cookies, heidesand, stollen, zimtsterne and more will be served. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Dec. 12—Lamplight Tours, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, Lawson 816-580-3387. Visitors can experience an 1870s Christmas by lamplight at the Watkins family home. These guided tours, beginning at 6:30 and 8 p.m., will start at the visitor center and follow the historic lane to the house. Following a tour of the festively decorated house, there will be treats, beverages and musical entertainment. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids ages six to 12. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the site beginning Nov. 17. A limited number of tickets will be available.
Dec. 12 – 13-Christmas Candlelight Tours, Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, New Madrid, 573-748-5340. The event will feature an 1860s Victorian Christmas with candlelight tours of the Hunter-Dawson home, which will be decorated in lavish Victorian style with hundreds of feet of pine roping, three Christmas trees, ribbons and trimming. Staff in period costumes will give free regular tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and candlelight tours from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Dec. 13—“Silver Bells and Reindeer Tales: The History of Christmas Traditions,” Missouri State Museum, Jefferson City, 573-751-4127. The event will focus on the influence that the Victorian era had in developing modern holiday celebrations. Visitors can participate in traditional holiday games and make a period ornament to enjoy. The free program begins at 2 p.m. inside the Missouri State Capitol.
Dec. 14—French Christmas Open House, Felix Valle House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve, 573-883-7102. This annual celebration highlights the music, food, customs and decorations of an early French Christmas celebration known as Le Réveillon. Costumed guides will explain the early 1800s customs, and the dining room will be filled with traditional foods. Musical entertainment will be provided, along with samples of the bûche de Noel (Yule log cake). Admission is free to this event, which takes place from 1 to 7 p.m.
Dec. 20—Candlelight Concert, First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles, 636-940-3322. Lit entirely by candles, the legislative chambers will be filled with the music of Papa and Jackie Wright. They will narrate and perform, “The History of Christmas Music” beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 and will be available beginning Sat., Nov. 29.
For more information on these events, call the individual sites or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit www.mostateparks.com.
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