A Homestead Holiday

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Amanda Machik

Colonial decorations

For many families in eighteenth century America, Christmas was a time for celebration, feasting, and frivolity. Join us at the Daniel Boone Homestead and experience Christmas as it was almost 300 years ago with your family and friends. Visitors can learn about English and Pennsylvania German holiday celebrations, listen to the Homestead Carolers, visit with Santa and the Belsnickel, and enjoy Christmas crafts and activities. Throughout the historic area, visitors will hear about the different Christmas traditions of the families who lived on the property throughout the eighteenth century as they tour the festively decorated buildings.

In the Boone House, volunteers will cook a Christmas meal in the hearth and talk about the English Christmas traditions. Visitors will get to enjoy the English and German parlors festively decorated for the season. Visit the Blacksmith Shop and the Homestead Barn as you walk up to the Bertolet Log House. This Pennsylvania German log cabin will be open for tours and visitors can learn about its unique architectural history. Join the Homestead Carolers as they meander throughout the historic area singing joyous, holiday medleys. The Haycreek Valley Goldband will also be strolling during the afternoon, playing old holiday tunes on guitar, banjo, and violin. And of course, make sure to save time for a visit and picture with Santa. There will also be holiday crafts and activities for children, including a Christmas scavenger hunt through the Historic Area. After completing the hunt, children will be able to receive a holiday treat bag. Keep an eye out for the Belsnickel who will stop by the Homestead for a visit! The Belsnickel, part of eighteenth-century rural Pennsylvania German Christmas lore, is much different from today’s jolly, old Santa Claus.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to take a stroll through Christmas Past and enjoy an afternoon of old-fashioned, good cheer! Complimentary hot chocolate and hot wassail will also be available throughout the afternoon. Admission: Adults $10.00, Seniors (65+) $8.00, Youth (6-17) $5.00. Children 5 and under and DBHA members are free. Please no pets and no smoking. Visit our website or Facebook page for additional details – www.thedanielboonehomestead.org and Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook. The event is presented and funded by The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.