Pages

Thursday, November 19, 2015

TRADITIONAL HOLLY WALK RETURNS TO MORRIS COUNTY

Acorn Hall Xmas2015 HOLLY WALK

The Morris County Tourism Bureau and its partners are pleased to announce the return of Holly Walk, a long-standing Morris County tradition that offers visitors and residents the opportunity to visit local historic sites decorated for the holidays, with one admission ticket on one day.

WHEN:  Sunday, December 6 from Noon until 5 p.m. The snow date will be Sunday, December 13.
WHERE:
Participating sites will include:

  • The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall
  • The Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park
  • Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (below)
  • The Schuyler-Hamilton House
  • The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms

TICKETS: Advanced Holly Walk tickets are $25.00 per person and must be purchased online at www.morristourism.org until December 5th. On the day of the event $30.00 tickets will be available for purchase at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum only. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information – www.morristourism.org or call the Morris County Tourism Bureau at 973-631-5151.

antique toys mac hallEach site will offer something special for visitors. The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall will be decorated in Victorian fashion with a dining room tablescape by a local designer featuring a recent donation by former Acorn Hall residents, the Hone family. In addition to the now-famous upside-down Christmas tree, there will be antique ornaments on display. Visitors can also tour the current exhibit Bright Lights, Big City: Mary Crane Hone on Broadway.

At the Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown, visitors will see the conference room ‘decorated” as though General George Washington and his staff have just finished a sumptuous holiday meal and have gone to make merry in town. Outside the Ford Mansion soldiers in period costume will be encamped to guard General Washington, and there will be performances of period music and dancing.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum will feature a late-19th century Christmas by the Garden Club of Morristown and a monumental Christmas tree with ornaments created by Assumption School children. Santa Claus images by Thomas Nast will be on display along with antique Christmas decorations and toys.

At the Schuyler-Hamilton House the theme will be the history of doll making in America, from corn husks to rag dolls, from Colonial days to Barbie. Meet three-time national award-winning doll artist Pat Sanftner who will share her smallest offerings- Pixie People.  Your favorite dollies are welcome to come and share their stories.

Xmas StickleyAt the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms (left) visitors will tour the current exhibition, “Live, Play Eat: Around the Table at Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Farms” inside the festively-decorated Log House (tours at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15). All Holly Walk ticketholders will take home a free Stickley gift bag with exclusive keepsake souvenirs.

Pixie PeopleIn addition to the sites being open, their gift shops will be brimming with unique merchandise, so bring your holiday gift lists, and support local historic sites and preservation efforts. Featured items include: special-edition Thomas Nast ornaments at Macculloch Hall, Victoriana items at Acorn Hall, American Arts and Crafts books and crafts at the Stickley Museum, Colonial-era books and novelties at Morristown National Historical Park, and hand-made Pixie People mini-dolls (above, right) at the Schuyler-Hamilton House.