Boston Flora

Tag: Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas

  • Massachusetts Holiday House Tours – A Calendar for December 4 and 5, 2010

    Tis the season.  There are a number of exciting Holiday House Tours benefiting a number of excellent organizations throughout the Commonwealth, and we alert you to the following events taking place in the beginning of December:

    On Saturday, December 4, from 11 – 4, travel to Stockbridge for Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. Visit some of the area’s Historic Properties, B&B’s, and Inns. This self-guided tour is one of our most popular events. This year’s tour features the Mission House, Federal House Inn, Inn at Stockbridge, The Mount,  Edith Wharton’s Estate, and Ventfort Hall Museum.  Tickets are $15.00 per person (Tickets may be purchased on the day of at the Red Lion Inn only, They are not sold at the house tour properties).

    If you prefer the North Shore, on Saturday, December 4, from 10:00 – 4:30  and Sunday, December 5, from 11:30 – 4:30, enjoy Christmas in Salem, the 2010 North Fields Tour. One of Salem’s oldest historic neighborhoods is one of its least well known. As the name suggests, the North Fields area was once home to pastures and orchards as well as homes. Today, North Street and the streets to the east and west of it are known as North Salem. You are invited to explore this area not visited by Christmas in Salem since 1996 and to enjoy the private homes professionally decorated for the holidays.

    This is also an opportunity to see more of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Salem. His uncle’s house is on the tour, and he himself lived here, as well for a time. When you take the trolley back across the North River, you’ll find two more homes on Derby Street waiting to welcome you. And don’t miss the Hawthorne related sites, including The House of the Seven Gables with its own holiday celebration.  Because the tour features private homes, it is not handicapped accessible. Also, out of courtesy to our homeowners and their old pine floors, we request that you do not wear high heels. Advance tickets are $25 for members of Historic Salem, Inc. and $30 for non-members.  You may order online at www.christmasinsalem.org, or by phone at 978-745-0799. Other retail ticket locations may be found on the website.

    Do you prefer Buzzard’s Bay?  The New Bedford Preservation Society’s 19th Annual Holiday House Tour will take place Saturday, December 4 from 4 – 8, and on Sunday, December 5 from 1 – 5. Start at the Wamsutta Club, 427 County Street, New Bedford.  To attend a pre-tour brunch ($17) on Sunday from 11am-1pm (reservations recommended) call 508.997.7431. Holiday Raffle will be held at the club during tour hours.

    South Shore, you say? The Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth will sponsor a house tour on Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5 as well. Pilgrim Hall Museum’s fifth annual Holiday House Tour will share some of Plymouth’s finest – and sometimes hidden – architectural gems all dressed up for the holidays. Your tour ranges from private residences in North Plymouth, to the center of town, to wonderful homes down in South Plymouth. Feel the warmth of the holiday season while helping preserve the museum’s superb collection of 17th century artifacts and support its educational programs. Your ticket includes a light lunch at Plymouth Country Club. Advance ticket sales are $40 each, but after November 19 the price goes to $45 each. Call 508-746-1620 x7 for a registration brochure.

    Let’s not forget the western suburbs.  The Needham Women’s Club will hold an Historical Holiday House Tour on December 5 as well, honoring Needham’s 300th birthday, as well as the Needham Women’s Club’s 75th!  Although hours have not yet been announced, tickets will go on sale at Roche Brothers and at Sudbury Farms beginning Thursday, November 18.  Call 781-718-4983 for updated information.

    Canton Garden Club members are preparing several workshops for their Club’s Holiday House Tour entitled Joys of Christmas on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4.  Visitors will be able to tour three homes, a condominium and a great room area at the condominium.  All residences are decorated to reflect each location’s individual style and charm.  For tickets ($25), visit Pratt Realty, Helen’s Hair Styling, Savoy Day Spa, or call 781-828-8552.  Hours to be announced.

    Rounding out the festivities for the first weekend in December is the Winchester Neighbors Club tour on Sunday, December 5, from 2 – 5 pm.  Four historic homes located in the Flats will be open to the public, and all proceeds will benefit the Ginn Playground Restoration Project.  More details will follow on their website, www.winchesterneighbors.com/main/more/holiday_house_tour_12_5_10/.

  • Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6 – The 20th Annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas

    The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, as the town celebrates the 20th annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, December 5th and 6th.

    Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of activities, with highlights including a holiday house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert.

    Capping off the weekend is a recreation on Sunday of the scene depicted in Main Street at Christmas, complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day’s activities include horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa, Roger the Jester, lunch at the Christmas Food Booth and much more.

    The festivities celebrate Rockwell’s popular depiction of what for many is the quintessential small New England Town, with all the longing for a simpler time that it represents. Rockwell began painting the popular image in 1956, but did not complete it until December 1967.

    The image and character of Stockbridge has changed little over the years, thanks to the great care and affection of its residents, and it is that special ambience which draws so many.

    The Holiday House Tour takes place on Saturday from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Visit some of the area’s Historic Properties, B&B’s, and Inns. This self-guided tour is one of our most popular events. The years tour features The Former Rockwell House, The Campbell House, National Shrine of the Divine Mercy Residence, Orleton Farm Carriage House & Stables, Linwood House, the Stockbridge Country Inn and Merwin House.  Tickets are $15.00 per person.

    Children’s Holiday Story Time, from 11 – 11:30 am at the Stockbridge Library, is free, as is the Caroling Luminaria Walk from 6 – 7 pm. Meet in front of The Red Lion Inn, Main Street with your candle or flashlight and join the festive caroling followed by a Luminaria walk to the First Congregational Church.

    The Holiday Concert begins at 7:30.

    Celebrate the magic of the season with a joyful holiday musical program held at the First Congregational Church. Featuring the Berkshire Lyric Chorus, the Blafield Children’s Chorus; Gisella Montanez, Special Guest Soloist; Jack Brown, Artistic Director and Joseph Rose, Accompanist.  Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door.

    Sunday’s big event runs from 12 noon to 2:00 pm.

    See Main Street as Norman Rockwell did when he painted the famous Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. Main Street becomes a magical New England village with over 50 antique cars parked along the street (weather permitting) and a full range of festive activities to delight the child in everyone. Enjoy Holiday Music, The Londontown Carolers, Roger the Jester and lunch at the Christmas Food Booth. Children may create holiday fun at Santa’s workshop sponsored by the Norman Rockwell Museum. Complete the day with a visit from Santa.  Commemorative Buttons offering admittance to Sunday’s Main St. activities are $5.00 per person. Children under 12 free.

    Horse drawn rides will also be available for an additional nominal fee.  To purchase tickets in advance to any or all of these events, log on to www.stockbridgechamber.org and print the order form and mail it in to The Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 224, Stockbridge, MA 01262, or, on the week of the event, tickets may be purchased at The Red Lion Inn, 30 Main Street, Stockbridge.

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  • Friday, December 4, 5:00 – 7:30 pm – Holiday Marketplace Cocktail Party

    The Berkshire Botanical Garden will host a Holiday Marketplace Preview Cocktail Party on Friday, December 4, from 5:00 – 7:30 pm.  This is your chance to do some early buying of handcrafted wreaths, holiday decorations, seasonal blooms and greens, herb products, crafts and gift items.  The Holiday Marketplace itself begins Saturday, December 5 and runs through Sunday, December 6, from 10:00 am – 5 pm.  This event is part of Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas celebration.  Admission on Saturday and Sunday is free, but there will be a charge for the Cocktail Party.  Call 413-298-3926 for details and reservations.

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