What could be more beautiful than a period room impeccably decorated for the holidays? Our areas historic mansions will be shining throughout the holiday season. Get into the holiday spirit and learn a littleHudsonValleyhistory as well.
The Italianate mansion, Locust Grove, in Poughkeepsie, will be featuring the classic Christmas tale "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with trees that showcase the passages in the tale in each room. www.lgny.org
Visit for Christmas with the Churches at Olana State Historic Site. Learn how the family spent the holiday at home. Hear oldest son Frederic Joseph's letter to Santa Claus, and hear what other family and visitors wrote about the experience. http://www.olana.org/
Join us for a wonderful Holiday open house at the Bevier House Museum, celebrating a Victorian Christmas the way the Bevier's would have spent it. Music and refreshments will be available. www.bevierhousemuseum.org/
Florists and designers transform the Wilderstein Mansion into a magical holiday spectacular. This is the 30th anniversary of this annual holiday celebration. www.wilderstein.org
Joyeux Noel from the Vanderbilt Mansion! This year the decorations celebrate the generosity of Frederick and Louise in the Hyde Park community - especially to the children of the town all of whom were presented with gifts each Christmas. A few of these items have found their way into our collection and will be on exhibit during this time. www.nps.gov/vama/
Visit Clermont State Historic Site for candlelight tours. www.friendsofclermont.org
It is "A Gilded Age Christmas" at MillsMansion, the family home of Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills, has been lavishly decorated for the holiday season with turn-of-the century decorations, numerous Christmas trees, floral arrangements and spectacular dining room decorations. www.staatsburgh.org
Historic homes and sites will be open to the public on 12/1 from 12pm-5pm for the 2012 Cold Spring by Candlelight Historic Festival and House Tours.. Expect homes and sites featured on teh National Historic Register, holiday caroling, discount at local stores and restaurants, holiday music, visits with Old St. Nick and much more. http://www.partnerswithparc.info/-.html