Grey Towers all spruced up for the Christmas season

MILFORD, PA — Grey Towers National Historic Site will offer a variety of seasonal programs throughout December, including its Christmas Carol theatrical readings, holiday musical performances, a visit from Santa and the seasonably decorated mansion open for visitation. As always, the mansion will be specially decorated for the occasion by the Milford Garden Club.

Holiday tours of the 1886 mansion will begin Friday, December 12, with a public event that kicks off the season with caroling and hot chocolate from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Traditional luminaries will light the walkway to the mansion.

Guided tours will be offered on weekdays at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on December 15 through 19 and 22 and 23. On weekends and holiday weeks (December 13 through 14, 20 and 21, and 27 through 30), visitors can wander all three floors from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The fee is $4 per person; free for children 12 and under.

The first floor has a traditional Victorian theme and a nine-and-a-half-foot tree in the library has been decorated with an angel theme. The second floor has a nature theme, with birds, snowflakes and butterflies adorning the hall. The third floor, which originally was occupied by children, has a child’s theme, with ornaments of toys, dolls and winter activities and dried citrus placed in the greenery.

The Garden Club chose colors that enhance the dark and paneled areas of the home and complement the home’s vivid colors from the 1920s. Flowers, grapes, fruits and berries reflect the landscape and orchards from the grounds.

Grey Towers Horticulturist Elizabeth Hawke, who also is a member of the Milford Garden Club, coordinates the decorating. “Without the help of the Milford Garden Club, we would never be able to do as thorough or creative a job,” said Hawke. “Their contribution really enhances the public’s experience at Grey Towers.”

Special programs that will occur over coming weeks in this setting include music, an Audubon tea, demonstration of lacework and the traditional theatrical reading of “A Christmas Carol,” performed by Joe Plummer and son on December 6 and 7 in the Great Hall. Tickets are already on sale and cost $15 per person. They are available by calling 570/296-9630 or visiting Grey Towers.

See our Celebrations section over coming weeks for details on the many upcoming events.

For more information visit fs.fed.us/gt or call 570/296-9630.