'Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the houses, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Scratch that, the
Historic House Trust sites are all astir! The holiday season is when our houses shine most brightly, the time of year when historic traditions are passed along to new generations and when we gather together with merry and generous hearts.
Below is a list of events that Saint Nicholas checked twice, so they are sure to make your season bright. To view a full calendar of all the upcoming programs at our houses
click here
!
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Tag your favorite photo or video using
@hhtnyc along with the the hashtag
#holidayswithhht. We may feature your photo in next month's email!
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Instagram Pic of the Month
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"Made of leaves and bark, no bricks and mortar, wee
@merchantshouse
is one of 150 landmarks at the NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
@nybg
"
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Keep an eye out for the HHT houses that have been placed among the over 175 NYC landmarks in the 27th annual
Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden!
On view from
November 17, 2018 – January 21, 2019
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Sinterklaas is Coming to Town!
Skip that silly mall Santa and celebrate St. Nicholas's arrival in NYC in a more memorable way, with spiced apple cider, colonial games, seasonal tales, and a chance to decorate Dutch clogs for Sinterklaas. At Wyckoff House the kids can even feed St. Nick's horse!
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O Tannenbaum...
The soft twinkle of Christmas tree lights is one tradition that is sure to fill anyone's heart with seasonal spirit. Where better to bask in the glow than the house of Lewis H. Latimer, the inventor of long-lasting carbon filaments for light bulbs?
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Baby, It's Cold Outside...
Come inside from the wintry weather and warm up to an adorable marionette production about a Yeti who doesn't like the snow (but learns to love it!), a live reading of a time-honored tale of festive generosity, or an evening of chamber music from the time of Rufus King (1725-1857) on the pianoforte and Baroque violin.
December 9th:
December 9th:
Clementi & Co.: An Evening of Baroque and Chamber Music at
King Manor Museum
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Home for the Holidays...
Sunday, December 9, 2018
For more than 30 years, seven historic houses in Flushing, Queens, have come together for the
Annual Holiday Historic House Tour. The sites, which include HHT member houses
Kingsland Homestead
,
Lewis H. Latimer House
, and the
Bowne House, will offer tours, refreshments, performances, holiday crafting, and more. Get your ticket today and participate in the
#hollytour18!
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Holiday Traditions of Yore
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Dating back to the 13th century, a pomander, or
pomme d'ambre (French for "apple of amber"), is a decorative metal ball made for perfumes that well-to-do men and women wore around their waist or neck. By the 19th century, the pomander became what we know today, oranges or other fruit studded by cloves and traditionally given as a token of prosperity during Christmas or New Year's in England and Wales. Today it isn't the holiday season at our historic houses without the distinct smell of pomanders in the air!
Learn how to make a pomander:
December 1st:
December 8th:
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The tradition of hanging a kissing ball is first seen in the Middle Ages, when villagers would bring evergreen branches inside their homes to brighten up the dark days of winter. Twining together pine boughs with herbs such as rosemary (symbolizing remembrance) or thyme (representing courage), the balls were hung in a passageway to greet guests and wish them good fortune. Over the years, these decorations were embellished with mistletoe and became the ideal place for a holiday kiss. Whether you're sharing a platonic peck on the cheek or a seasonal smooch with your loved one, how wonderful it is that this long-standing holiday tradition continues to this day.
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Give the Gift of History!
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We all have that friend or family member who is tough to shop for (we are looking at you, Uncle Steve)! This season gift them a year-long Historic House Trust membership, the perfect present for an urban explorer who relishes in the unparalleled history of NYC. In addition to
unlimited free admission
to historic house museums across the five boroughs, members get fun swag, invitations to special tours, and more.
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One gift that will truly last all year long is a donation in support of the Historic House Trust's mission. Your financial contribution will help us
advocate for, promote, and provide expertise to preserve 23 publicly owned historic sites located throughout NYC's five boroughs.
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Holiday shopping season is in full swing. This month (and all year round) select the
Historic House Trust
as your preferred non-profit on Amazon Smile and Amazon will donate 0.5% to HHT. We like to call it "good karma shopping," you get your present and so do we!
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Photo Credits:
Wallpaper: patterncooler.com
Instagram: Merchant's House Museum
Events: Wyckoff House Museum, Alyssa Loorya, Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum, and Queens Historical Society (Kingsland Homestead)
Holiday Traditions: Kelsey Brow/King Manor Museum and Laura Carpenter/Van Cortlandt House Museum
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