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Start the season by taking a step back in time at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion and Museum with the exhibit, A Magnificent Victorian Holiday at the Mansion: Splendor and Tradition Through the Decades, curated by Raechel Guest.
“Although this National Historic Landmark is always breathtaking throughout the season, it is truly magnificent in December, when we unveil the holiday exhibit,” said Susan Gilgore, executive director.
Take a guided tour through the period rooms to learn and see how Christmas decorations grew through the Victorian era. Decade by decade see the transformation of the Christmas tree; and as Gilgore describes, circling the elegance within the mansion.
“Surrounded by the beauty and splendor of an iconic Victorian era mansion, visitors will learn how the 1850s tree decorated with fruits and only a few inches high grew to its floor-to-ceiling proportions in the 1930s,” said Gilgore.
Trees were not the only thing to change: revel in the magnificent gifts that were exchanged in the late 19th century. The Victorian show also connects to the Hidden Treasures exhibit, “exquisite” artifacts that belonged to the Lockwood and Mathews families.
But, wait, there is more. On the first floor of the mansion you will be dazzled by the Designer Show House of Holiday Decorations, wonderfully decorated trees by Victoria Vandamm of Vandamm Interiors, Linda Fontaine of Linda Fontaine Design and artist and designer Gail Ingis-claus. In addition, when you walk up the grand Victorian staircase you will be surrounded by hand crafted silk garlands, courtesy of Donna DiElsi of Silk Touch, Norwalk.
You can visit the mansion Wednesday- Sundays, 12-4p.m. for guided tours. The Victorian Holiday exhibit runs until January 4.
For more information, go to FCBuzz.org.
For more events like this in Fairfield County, visit the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County event calendar.
Laura Dicker is the marketing assistant at FCBuzz.org
For more events, visit FCBuzz.org