Celebrate the Ghosts of Christmas Past in Richmond This Year
When you think of Christmas today, what do you think of? Trips to the Mall with its glittering holiday displays? An extravaganza of lights and decorations? Fretting over whether this year finds you on Santa’s nice list or naughty list?
Probably all the above, but what if you were transported back to the 18th and 19th century to experience the holidays frontier and antebellum style.
Well, this year you can do just that thanks to two Richmond attractions which are pulling out all the stops to acquaint you with some ghosts of Christmases long past.
Christmas on the Frontier at Fort Boonesborough
The 18th century may have been a perilous time for families on Kentucky’s frontier, but Christmas still brought excitement and expectation. Would wide-eyed children be rewarded by a visit from St. Nicholas with a homemade toy (if they had been nice) or Krampus (a half goat-half demon creature from Alpine folklore, with a switch (reserved for naughty children)?
On two dates in December (Friday, Dec. 5th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.), Richmond residents and visitors can find out for themselves, according to Kristi Heasley, President of the Boonesborough Foundation.
Switches may be in short supply, but expect plenty of seasonal surprises. The glow of Christmas comes alive as Fort Boonesborough will be lit with lanterns and blazing bonfires.
Natural greenery will adorn the fort’s cabins, including the Daniel Boone memorabilia cabin which visitors can see on a self-guided walking tour. On the tour, they will learn about holiday recipes in use more than two centuries ago and teas popular during the Revolutionary War (thankfully some were salvaged from the choppy waters of Boston Harbor.)
The fort’s tavern will be festive with music and refreshments, and the Transylvania store will be open for Christmas shopping – or, if you prefer, you can have a go at making your own rag doll, much like Rebecca Boone did for Israel and Jemima.
Reenactors will fire the Christmas guns as there were no fireworks in the 18th century, and in a nod to the 21st century, visitors will have an opportunity to have their pictures taken with Father Christmas.
Admission is $8 for adults; $5 for children 6-12, free for those 5 and under.
Heasley says that parking will be in the lower lot on Hwy. 388, with free shuttle transportation to and from the fort.
Christmas at White Hall
Once you have celebrated in the 18th century, fast forward to the 19th century when Cassius Marcellus Clay presided over elegant White Hall mansion, and imagine that 15-room mansion adorned in holiday finery.
Visitors to White Hall’s Christmas Open House from December 10th to 14th (6:00-8:00 p.m. each night) won’t have to imagine.
They will be able to see the exquisite home in all its glory on a self-guided tour where Christmas trees, sparkling lights, garlands, and ornaments will be on dazzling display, along with refreshments, seasonal music and a Christmas ornament craft table.
On one of the nights (December 12th), the Clay family will be present to welcome guests to the house for their annual holiday soiree.
Collaborating with the Battle of Richmond Center, reenactors taking on the guise of Cassius and members of his family – dressed for the occasion, of course – will circulate throughout the rooms, greeting their guests and wishing all a Merry Christmas.
Guests can learn about the Christmas traditions of prominent 19th century Kentucky families such as the Clays while touring one of the commonwealth’s most historic homes.
According to White Hall site coordinator Mathew Parrish, there are several ways to purchase tickets: on Etix.com; on the White Hall State Historic Site’s face book page, and at the door (6:00-7:30 p.m.) during the Open House.
Should you miss the Open House, you will have another chance to see White Hall decorated for the holidays at its Christmas High Tea (December 19th & 20th). After the tea, guests are invited to take a self-guided tour of the mansion.
However, you won’t want to rush through the main event as the tea is a three-course meal with soups, savories, sweets and several varieties of teas – all inspired by the classic Christmas tale The Nutcracker.
Tickets, which must be purchased through Etix.com, have already gone on sale, so to avoid disappointment, order yours now. You can also find a link for ordering on the White Hall face book page. Ticket sales close one week before the event.
This year, do something different for the holidays. Skip the traffic and crowds at the malls, and instead, commune with the ghosts of Christmases past at two historic Richmond locations.