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Home PageMISSOURI STATE HISTORIC SITES CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS
JEFFERSON CITY, MO., NOV. 13, 2007 -- Enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of Christmas' past this holiday season in Missouri state historic sites. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, these events range from Christmas concerts to open houses serving Christmas treats with a foreign flavor.
- Nov. 24 -- Hanging of the Greens, Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock 660-837-3330. Garlands made with evergreen will be hung along the village boardwalk while everyone joins in on the holiday caroling. Visitors can help decorate an old fashioned Christmas tree and make natural ornaments to take home. A special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus will top off the afternoon. Call the site for times.
- Dec. 1 -- 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 include caroling, a Christmas room for children and period entertainment. The entertainment will last into the evening hours, when the Watkins home will be lit by lamplight. Seasonal refreshments will be served.
- Dec. 8 -- Shot, Shell and Christmas, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, Lexington 660-259-4654. From 2 to 8 p.m., the Friends of the Anderson House and Missouri Medical Brigade will present Christmas at a Civil War field hospital. The Anderson House will be decorated in a simple manner. Ladies and gentlemen from town will visit the hospital bringing food, music and comfort to the wounded. Tours will be hourly and cost $10 for ages 13 and older and $6 for ages six to 12.
- Dec. 8 -- Candlelight Tours, Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock 660-837-3330. Tour the Huston Tavern by candlelight between 6 and 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Also, guests can make reservations for a candlelight dinner at the tavern on Dec. 1, 8 or 15 by calling 660-837-3200.
- Dec. 8 -- Ash Grove Community in Action Christmas Homes Tour, Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site, Ash Grove 417-751-3266. An evening holiday tour of Ash Grove is not complete without a visit to the Nathan Boone home. There will be samples of seasonal refreshments and tours of Nathan Boone's 1837 log home, which will be decked out in Yuletide fashion. The house is just one among many on the tour route. For tickets, times or other information, contact the Ash Grove Community in Action at 417-751-3227.
- Dec. 9 -- French Christmas Open House, Felix Vallé House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve 573-883-7102. This 25th 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 Noël (Yule log cake). Admission is free to this event, which takes place from 1 to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 12 and Dec. 21 -- Capitol by Candlelight Tours, First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles 636-940-3322. Tours will be given of 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 period-dressed interpreters will explain the site's history. Visitors can enjoy traditional 17th century refreshments while listening to Christmas carols at the conclusion of the tour. Reservations are required and a fee applies.
- Dec. 14-15 -- Christmas Candlelight Tours, Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, New Madrid 573-748-5340. Visitors can enjoy an 1860s Victorian Christmas during candlelight tours of the Hunter-Dawson home, which will be decorated with hundreds of feet of pine roping, three Christmas trees, ribbons and trimming. Staff in period costumes will give tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
- Dec. 22 -- Candlelight Christmas Concert, First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles 636-940-3322. A candlelight Christmas concert in the House of Representatives' chambers in Missouri's first Capitol will begin at 8 p.m. Jackie Wright will explain the stories behind the favorite Christmas carols and Glenn "Papa" Wright will perform them with traditional instruments. Tickets are $6.
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 the Web at www.mostateparks.com.
