Christmas is a magical season, made even more charming with Victorian traditions.
It could be the Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” renditions played repeatedly on television, hearkening back to a simpler time. Perhaps it’s a holdover from Queen Victoria’s reign, proving that the colonists’ fascination with the royal family has deep roots.
Harrisburg’s Fort Hunter Mansion celebrates a Victorian-era Christmas with a full month of festivities, ending the day before Christmas Eve. Many of the activities overlap each other, immersing holiday season visitors into a bygone experience.
“If you like history and feel comfortable in it, this is a page out of a history book,” said Julia Hair, Fort Hunter’s park manager.
The annual Christmas season begins at Fort Hunter on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In the Centennial Barn, the Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society arranges a large layout of rural communities in central Pennsylvania, with an HO gauge train running through the idyllic scenes. The display is large enough to fill the room, leaving just enough space to skirt the edges of the model.
That same weekend begins the “Festival of Trees,” co-sponsored by the Harrisburg Area Garden Center. Six different local garden clubs decorate a tree in the mansion with handmade ornaments. Then the trees are raffled off. It is held in the Tavern House on Saturdays and Sundays, although Hair asserted that there is no longer alcohol permitted on the premises.
Much of Fort Hunter’s seasonal magic centers on the mansion, which is decorated in Victorian style for most of December. The Harrisburg Garden Club adorns the rooms with fresh greens and dried flowers. Replicas of Victorian ornaments and decorations grace the fixtures.
“You can smell the evergreens and spices,” Hair said. “With no electric lights or modern conveniences, it turns us back to celebrate an earlier time.”
The first weekend in December breaks a long-standing rule for museum curators everywhere. They allow food in the mansion—not just food, but a Victorian tea party complete with music, “servants” in Victorian finery, sweets, savory items and sandwiches courtesy of Hummer’s Meats.
“It’s the only time we allow food in the mansion, so it’s a rare opportunity for visitors,” said Hair. “We see families return year after year. It’s quite an honor to be part of families’ holiday traditions.”
A wide variety of old-style activities for both children and adults take place on the grounds, beginning that same December weekend. Dauphin County Parks & Recreation partners with many other local organizations and sponsors to make visitors’ loads a little bit lighter.
“The holiday activities are gracious and low-key, without the usual stress of the season,” said Becky Boone, a member of the Friends of Fort Hunter.
In the Centennial Barn, a group of artisans called Craft Reunion will hold a show featuring traditional folk arts and crafts. The Friends of Fort Hunter will have its annual “Greens Sale,” consisting of handmade centerpieces, wreaths and swags made from natural elements. While the adults are busy, the kids can go shopping at the “Kids Only Holiday Shop.” Parents supply spending money, and Santa’s elves help the children shop, then wrap the presents for the children to take home and place under the tree.
Both children and adults can head to the stable for “Fort Couture.” Transforming the idea of a Christmas tree skirt, you can bring your own materials to decorate an antique seamstress’s mannequin. Hair has seen some inventive creations over the years.
“Some of them have themes,” she said. “We’ve seen snow angels, Christmas tree dresses, fans, pheasant feathers, harvest fruits. One little girl even used old wrapping paper that her grandma saved from unwrapping presents.”
Each annual Victorian Christmas event hosts an open-hearth cooking demonstration in the summer kitchen. Local artisan George Kopp will show visitors how to make traditional clear toy candy, a forgotten Pennsylvania German folk art that can be traced back to Victorian times.
“Hardly anybody makes clear toy candy anymore, so it’s important to preserve the tradition,” said Kopp.
During the December days that follow, the Saint Thomas Dulcimer Society will conduct a holiday sing-along, and an eight-piece brass ensemble will regale attendees with holiday music. Mrs. Santa and her reindeer will pay kids a special visit, too.
Though the Christmas season lasts only one month at Fort Hunter, almost 50 staff and volunteers collaborate for months to bring the event to the public. Boone said the team tries to maintain the beauty and grace of an old-fashioned Christmas, while bringing new events to the celebration.
“Christmas at Fort Hunter transports you back to a simpler time, a more traditional time,” said Michelle Hornberger, assistant program director for Dauphin County Parks & Recreation. “You and your family can put the brakes on your busy lives and enjoy the slower pace.”
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is located at 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.forthunter.org.
A Fort Hunter Holiday
Nov. 25 to Dec 17
Saturdays and Sundays
Festival of Trees
12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Tavern House, free
Nov. 25 to Dec 17
Saturdays and Sundays
Toy Train Exhibit
12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Centennial Barn, free
Dec. 1 to 23
Christmas at Fort Hunter
Decorated for the season
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday
12 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday
Fort Hunter Mansion, regular admission
Dec. 1 to 3
Craft Reunion
Traditional craft show
Friday, 12 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Centennial Barn, free
Dec. 2 to 3
Greens Sale
Featuring ornamental, handmade greens
Saturday, 11a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. until sold out
Centennial Barn, free
Dec. 2 to 17
Saturdays and Sundays
Fort Couture: Christmas Tree Dresses
Dress forms decorated like Christmas trees
12:30 to 4:30 p.m., stable, free
Dec. 2 to 17
Saturdays and Sundays
Kids Only Holiday Shop
Holiday shopping for kids, 12 and under
12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Centennial Barn
Parents provide spending money
Dec. 3
Victorian Tea
Traditional Victorian tea and a clear toy candy demonstration
1 to 4 p.m., Fort Hunter Mansion
$10 per person
Dec. 6
Saint Thomas Dulcimer Society in Concert
Holiday and traditional dulcimer music and a sing-a-long
7 p.m., Centennial Barn, free
Dec. 9
Santa’s Reindeer and Mrs. Santa
Visit with Santa’s reindeer and Mrs. Claus
12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Centennial Barn, free
Dec. 17
Triumphant Brass Concert
Sounds of the season with eight-piece brass ensemble
2 p.m., Centennial Barn, free
Author: Gina Napoli
