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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Create Holiday Memories at Ohio Historical Society Sites
Seasonal Events for the Entire Family Featured Around the State
From a sparkling holiday dinner in the home of a U.S. president to the sight of Serpent Mound outlined by luminarias for winter solstice, Ohio Historical Society sites offer unique ways to escape the bustle and enjoy the holiday season. Check out each region of the state for festive happenings for the entire family at www.ohiohistory.org/calendar.
In Central Ohio
Westerville is home to American songwriter Benjamin Hanby, who wrote the classic Santa Claus song “Up on the Housetop.” In his honor, the Westerville Historical Society will be hosting a special holiday event at the Hanby House Dec. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 5–6 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy seasonal decorations, live entertainment and hot cider and cookies. Admission: $2/adult and $.75/child (ages 6-12). Call 800.600.6843.
At the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus, meet 19th-century illustrator Thomas Nast, who created the image of that “jolly old elf,” during the Echoes in Time Theatre presentation of “The Man Who Drew Santa Claus” at 7 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Admission: $8/adult, $7/senior, $4/youth (ages 6-12) and free for children (ages 5 and under) and for Ohio Historical Society members. For more information, call 800.686.6124.
Start celebrating the season Dec. 5 at The Pleasure of the Cup, a 19th-century version of a “pub crawl,” at the Ohio Village in Columbus. From 7:30 to 9 p.m., sample several old-fashioned libations and play hilarious Victorian parlor games at different Ohio Village locations. Complete the rounds at the American House Hotel for refreshments and conviviality with humor and tavern songs by the Ohio Village Singers. Participants must be 21 years of age. Admission: $35/person and $30/Ohio Historical Society members. Parking is $4 and free for members. For reservations, call 800.686.1541.
Did you know that Charles Dickens visited Ohio in 1842? At Ohio Village in Columbus, Dickens spirit comes to life through characters and Victorian holiday traditions from his stories. The annual Dickens of a Christmas will be Dec. 11-12 and 18–19 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 20 from noon–5 p.m. Admission: $12/adult and $9/youth (ages 6–12). Parking is $4. Ohio Historical Society members receive $2 off the admission price and free parking. To make the event extra special, feast on a sumptuous holiday meal beforehand at Dickens of a Dinner Dec. 11-12 and 18–19 or Dickens of a Brunch on Dec. 20. Meet Charles Dickens in person and be entertained by the Ohio Village Singers performing 19th-century carols. Cost for the dinner is $60/adult and $50/Ohio Historical Society member. Brunch is $39/adult and $16.95/youth or $30/Ohio Historical Society adult member and $13.95/Ohio Historical Society youth member. For reservations, call 800.686.1541.
Ever wondered what happened to Scrooge after his Christmas morning reformation? The audience is in for a grand surprise in this production of “Dickens of a Mystery” Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Enjoy a holiday buffet, witness a series of events and help solve the mystery. Cost is $60/adult and $50/Ohio Historical Society member. Parking is $4 and free for members. For reservations, call 800.686.1541.
In Northwest Ohio
On Dec. 5 at the Piqua Historical Area in Piqua, experience the holidays as celebrated by an Irish American family of the 1830s. Enjoy An Irish Christmas at the Farm, a traditional seasonal dinner of the era followed by Irish entertainment, dessert and stories by the fireside in the frontier home of John Johnston. Cost is $30/adult, $25/Ohio Historical Society or Piqua Friends members. For reservations, call 800.752.2619.
Fremont’s Hayes Presidential Center offers several opportunities to create one-of-a-kind holiday memories. On the evenings of Dec. 3–5, guests attending a special benefit for the Hayes Presidential Center can enjoy Christmas Dinner at Spiegel Grove, home of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Guests will enjoy live piano music, costumed carolers, wassail and a six-course 19th-century feast. Cost is $250 per person in advance. ($175 is tax deductible.) Relax with friends and family from 1-3 p.m. at holiday-themed Victorian Teas Dec. 12 or 13 at the center’s Dillon House. A special tea for children who’ve been “very, very good” will be Dec. 19. Cost is $25/adult and $14/child. For reservations for the dinner or teas, call 800.998.7737
For kids of all ages, visitors to the Hayes Presidential Center during the holidays can enjoy two annual traditions. The Hayes Train Special exhibit pulls into the center from Nov. 29–Jan. 10. See six model trains follow a complex course through tunnels and around a snow-blanketed miniature Victorian village. Free with Hayes Presidential Center museum admission: $7.50/adult, $6.50/senior (ages 60 and over), $3/child (ages 6-12). Take a one-horse sleigh or carriage rides Dec. 26–31 around President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes estate of Spiegel Grove. Cost is $3/person. Call 800.998.7737 for information.
The Fort Meigs Museum and Visitor Center in Perrysburg welcomes families to it annual Holiday Open House Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m. There’s a lot to enjoy with War of 1812 re-enactors on hand, seasonal music, hands-on activities and early 19th-century dancing. Admission is $5/adult, $4/youth (ages 6-12) and FREE/Ohio Historical Society members. Call 800.283.8916.
In Northeast Ohio
On Dec. 5–6, get in some shopping and enjoy holiday treats in the historic Tuscarawas County village of Zoar, where carolers, crafters and cooks will bring back Christmases of the 1850s during Zoar Community Association’s Christmas in Zoar. The National Register historic district will be decked out for the holidays. Admission: $6/adult, $4/youth, $5.40/Ohio Historical Society adult members and free for Ohio Historical Society youth member (ages 12 and under). Call 800.874.4336 for details.
In Southern Ohio
See a memorable sight Dec. 20 from 4-6 p.m. when Serpent Mound, a National Historic Landmark near Peebles in Adams County that is thought to have been a prehistoric solstice marker, will be outlined at dusk by hundreds of luminarias on the eve of the winter solstice. At the annual Light Up the Serpent event, visitors take a casual stroll around the illuminated serpent effigy that is more than a 1,000 years old. Admission is $7/car. Call 800.752.2757.
In Marietta, the first settlement in the Northwest Territory, Campus Martius Museum will host Mid-Winter Celebrations on the Frontier Dec. 5 and 11 from 5-8 p.m. This holiday event for children includes a tour of the 1788 Rufus Putnam House followed by holiday gift-making. Admission is $12/child (ages 6-12). Call 800.860.0145.
The Ohio Historical Society, a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, archaeology, natural history and historic architecture. For more information about the Ohio Historical Society and its events, call 614.297.2300/800.686.6124 or visit www.ohiohistory.org.
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