From Historic Bath State Historic Site

 

For many years, Historic Bath State Historic Site has been hosting the annual Christmas Open House program. Though many of the favorite activities, such as the decorated historic homes, the AdHoc Players and apple pressing demonstrations, will remain, there are new features to the program. These new activities include pictures with Santa Claus, crafts and decorating gingerbread men, Bath Elementary School holding an art show and choir performance, and cooking demonstrations. This is a free program with everything available to adults and children of all ages, except for pictures with Santa, which cost $15.

On Dec. 13, Historic Bath Site will come alive with the spirit of the holidays beginning at 9 a.m. with the grand opening of the Bath Elementary Children’s Christmas Art Show held at the Bath High School Preservation Gallery. At 11 a.m., in the Orientation Theatre of the Visitor Center, there will be a program to recognize the 25th anniversary of the fire that occurred at the Palmer-Marsh house. A panel of former employees will be leading the conversation, with the audience being able to participate in the discussion. There will also be paper chain and pomander take-home decoration crafts located at the Visitor Center throughout the day.

The afternoon promises to be a time of good cheer with family and friends. Enjoy the sound of the harpsichord, other period instruments and singing by the AdHoc Players floating through the Palmer-Marsh House as you take yourself through to see beautiful Colonial Revival decorations starting at noon. On your way to the water’s edge, step into the newly refurbished and renovated 19^th-century Williams “Glebe” House located at St. Thomas Episcopal Church before moving on down towards the Bonner House to enjoy the 19^th-century Christmas traditions. Walk through the decorated Bonner House and enjoy the sounds of the Bath Elementary 7th and 8th Grade Chorus at noon. The smell of Christmas will be wafting over the yard from the kitchen where gingerbread and cornbread is baking, and a 19^th-century style dinner is cooking. Sip some cider and decorate a gingerbread man while supplies last, and take a look at the apple pressing demonstrations, as well!
We will have a special guest at Christmas Open House this year: Santa Claus! Come and get your pictures taken with Santa for $15 at the Van Der Veer House from noon to 2 p.m. The cost includes time with Santa, a 4×6 photo in a sleeve and an email digitized copy for you to do with as you wish.

A detailed schedule of events is outlined below. There will be maps for visitors at the Historic Bath Site Visitor Center located at 207 Carteret St., and at other locations of interest. The Gift Shop will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. within the Visitor Center so visitors can shop around for those last minute Christmas gifts or tree decorations. Historic Home guided tours will not be offered on this day, but the Historic Homes will be open free of charge as part of the program from noon to 4 p.m.. When parking around town, please be mindful of the residents’ driveways and boat ramps. Parking is available at the Visitor Center (Carteret Street) and at the Bonner House (Front Street).

For more information about Christmas Open House or any of the activities taking place during the event, call 252-923-3971 or email bath@ncdcr.gov.

 

Visitor Center
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Paper Chain Decoration Take-Away Craft
11 a.m. – noon: Recollecting the Palmer-Marsh House Fire – A Panel of Remembrance
Noon – 3 p.m.: Pomander Decoration Take-Away Craft

Bath High School Preservation Gallery
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Children’s Christmas Art Show

Van Der Veer House
Noon – 2 p.m.: Pictures with Santa Claus! (*$15 fee!)

St. Thomas Episcopal Church Area
Noon – 4 p.m.: “Glebe” House Self-Guided Decoration Tours

Bonner House Area
Noon: Bath Elementary 7th and 8th Grade Chorus performs in the front yard
Noon – 4 p.m.: Baking and Cooking Demonstration in the Bonner House Kitchen
Noon – 4 p.m.: Bonner House Self-Guided Decoration Tours
Noon – 4 p.m.: Cider is served and decorate your own gingerbread man while supplies last
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Apple Pressing Demonstrations

Palmer-Marsh House
Noon – 4 p.m.: Palmer-Marsh House Self-Guided Decoration Tours
Noon – 4 p.m.: AdHoc Players performing the sounds of the holidays!