NCMC Events From Around the State… December 6, 2010

1). President James K. Polk State Historic Site Samuel and Jane Polk may well have provided holiday cheer to weary travelers along the major trading route near their home. Like those travelers, you can enjoy Christmas in Mecklenburg County with the Polk’s at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The free program will allow families today to “Make History This Holiday” as well. The traditional customs and foods of Christmas from the early 1800s will be on display, when future President Polk would have been 7 years old.

2). N.C. Historic Sites Costumed interpreters will provide the warmth and fun of A Heartfelt Christmas in a 1780 Christmas reminiscent of the Allen family on Dec. 11, from11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Alamance Battleground in Burlington. Also on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., A Colonial Christmas Open House at the House in the Horseshoe near Sanford will share crafts and cannon fire in a return to 1781 and the hope and excitement of the nascent nation. Visitors will “Make History This Holiday” when taking a short road trip to these two sites from the Revolutionary War period.

3). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum will host a special film screening of Contemporary Stories from America’s National Parks on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. each day. This film is free with Museum Membership or admission. “Contemporary Stories from America’s National Parks”, directed by Ken Burns, is a five-segment film within a film about how America’s National Parks are changing with time.

4). Bennett Place State Historic Site A merry and measured Civil War-era Christmas will be celebrated with pine cone and ribbon decorations, smoked ham and other seasonal delights on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham. The Christmas in the Carolinas During the Civil War program will present Christmas in the modest fashion of James and Nancy Bennett on the family farm, and will allow visitors to capture the “Make History This Holiday” theme.

5). Historic Edenton Christmas 1790 was very merry for James Iredell, who on Feb. 10, 1790, had been nominated as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. That good fortune would be celebrated through food and music, with treats of ham, pecan pie cookies, apple cider and more. Melodic tunes played on the violin would lighten the spirits of holiday visitors. Such a Christmas will be recreated at Historic Edenton State Historic Site on Dec. 10-11 from 1-5 p.m. at the annual Iredell House Groaning Board celebration. A “groaning board” and holiday music will capture the merriment at the home of the early justice and legal scholar.

6). Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Step into 1940s style at Canary Cottage, the home of the very correct Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, which will be decorated to the standards of the schoolmistress for the Dec. 12 Annual Christmas Open House, 1-5 p.m. The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum near Sedalia will display the simple elegance of bygone days at the private academy and allow visitors to experience the “Make History This Holiday” theme.

7). Reynolda House Museum of American Art Candlelight guided tours of historic Reynolda House will be Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11. Visitors can choose a guided tour at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m., and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments in the Babcock auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase before and after the tour. Tours feature stories about the Reynolds family holiday traditions, period decorations throughout the house, and carols played on the original Aeolian organ.

8). Museum of the Albemarle Pre-Schooler Time will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday, December 9, 2010 and Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 10:00 am until 10:45 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will learn various Christmas traditions, read a book and participate in a hands-on activity. This program is free to the public.

9). Tryon Palace presents Christmas Candlelight on Saturday, December 11 and 18, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold for specific tour time slots and are good for evening activities, only.$20 per adult, $10 per student. Experience an 18th-century candlelit Christmas celebration! The evening program includes a tour through the Palace (and perhaps a word or two with the Governor), performances by Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps and Jonkonnu troupe, and an assortment of other performers. The evening ends with a grand illumination over the South Lawn.

10). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Come celebrate the Christmas season at a Holiday Open House to be held Thursday evening, December 9, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher Chapter No. 2325, United Daughters of Confederacy, the open house will feature seasonal refreshments along with great discounts on everything in the gift shop for the special history lover on your Christmas list.