Guided Holiday House Tours

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Guided Holiday House Tours
Weekdays, December 17-23, 26-30
10:00 am-2:00 pm

Guided tours of five decorated historic houses at Strawbery Banke Museum: Goodwin, Chase, Abbott, Shapiro and Wheelwright (where there is a hearth-cooking demonstration). Tours offered on the hour. Adults $15, children 5-17 $10, children under 5 free.

Holiday House tours trace the history of winter holidays and celebrations in New England as they evolved, expanded, and changed over the centuries, using our houses and their decorations as vivid examples.

Featured topics:

  • Colonial era’s emphasis on New Year’s and winter visiting and entertaining
  • Appropriateness of the winter season for elaborate celebrations
  • History of Christmas in New England, from non-observance to widespread observance
  • Increasing ethnic diversity and observance of other winter holidays, such as Hanukkah and saints’ days
  • Common elements of winter holiday traditions (singing, feasting, baking, greenery, lights, games, visiting) and their origins