Boxwood, holly, magnolia leaves; apples, oranges, pomegranates; yarrow, hydrangea, pine cones — they’re not necessarily associated with Christmas décor. But at the Historic Bath State Historic Site’s Bonner House and Palmer-Marsh House, these items and others are the makings of the traditional Christmas in centuries past.

Visitors can witness a colonial Christmas on Saturday, as the Bath Historic Site welcomes the public to its annual Christmas Open House. From noon to 4 p.m., free tours, Christmas caroling and colonial-era demonstrations will be offered, along with storytelling and crafts for children.

The open house is a showcase for the talents of the many people who help decorate the homes for the annual event, according to Elizabeth Midyette, historic interpreter at the historic site.

“The preparation for our Christmas Open House is just as exciting as the event itself,” Midyette said. “Local volunteers and the Historic Bath Garden Club helped to make wreaths and dried flower arrangements for the houses. The talent, hard work and preparation certainly shine through for the public to see.”

Those volunteers spent Monday and Tuesday camped out at the Historic Site-owned Carson House, where piles of fresh greenery in the driveway, rooms and hallways awaited transfer to foam wreath forms.

“(The greenery) comes from all around, from people’s yards — they donate it,” said Sallie LaCava, president of the Historic Bath Garden Club. “We make 25 to 30 wreaths, plus other decorations. … The garlands are bought, but then we enhance them.”

While volunteers such as Bill Lenhardt, who learned how to make natural wreaths as a young boy in Philadelphia, wired boxwood to wreath forms in the hallway, in the kitchen, Historic Bath Garden Club members studded apples with wired sticks and decorated oranges with clove designs, both for use on wreaths or centerpieces.

“The fruit is sprayed with floor wax. That keeps them fresher, longer,” said garden club member Pat Axness. “It makes the fruit shiny.”

Fruit and flowers were traditional holiday decorations during the colonial era, Midyette said.

“We tried to relay that with some of the greenery and traditions — a lot of it is the greens and the fruits. You know, Christmas trees didn’t come until the late 1800s. We try to show that through the decorating,” Midyette said.

Midyette said volunteers decorate the homes based on their age: the Palmer-Marsh House is more colonial, and the Bonner House a bit more “modern.”

“We have the 1751 home and the 1830 home which does show a change in style — because you’re getting into the Victorian period,” Midyette said.

Through all the arranging, garden club members are hyperaware of where their arrangements and wreaths are going to be placed—likely on centuries-old surfaces—and take precautions.

“You have to be very careful about greenery on the wood,” said garden club member Sally Caton.

The open house and associated activities are free to the public. The Historic Bath State Historic Site is located at 207 Carteret St., Bath.

 

Visitor Center
10 a.m.

Pomander Craft — Children and adults can make a pomander to take home using oranges and cloves.
11 a.m.

Colonial Children (customs and costumes) — Speaker Gillian Hookway-Jones will give a presentation on Colonial children living in a port town, including some of the customs and culture including how they dressed. After the presentation, children will have a chance to feature costuming at the Van Der Veer House with photo opportunities for the family.

Van Der Veer House
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Apple-butter making demonstration (outside)

1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Children’s story time: “Twas the Night Before Christmas” (inside)

Bath Community Library
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The oldest public library known to the state, Beaufort Hyde Martin (BHM) Regional Library celebrates its 75^th birthday. Refreshments available. All are welcome to attend. The library is handicapped accessible.

Bath High School Pirate Hall
Open to the public. Art exhibits from the students of Bath Elementary School will be on display.

St. Thomas Church

Visit inside the oldest church building in state of North Carolina. The church was constructed in 1734.

Palmer-Marsh House and Bonner House Open House
Noon – 4 p.m.

Palmer-Marsh house (c. 1751) features the musical talents of the Ad Hoc Players — Lorraine Hale and Don Shiffler.

Bonner House (c. 1830) – Cooking demonstrations in the Bonner Kitchen as well as an apple-press demonstration. Cider and ginger bread cookies will be available. Christmas carolers onsite.