Written By Anne Blue
On a clear winter evening, stars fill the sky above and lanterns line the walkway to the farmhouse. Costumed guides greet visitors and lead them through a home that has been transformed for the holidays into an elegant country manor, replete with handmade Victorian decorations.
The sights, sounds and smells of the tour transport visitors back 150 years and, even if only for a brief moment, the hassles that often come with the holidays disappear.
Welcome to the Carroll County Farm Museum’s Country Manor Christmas. During the first two weekends in December, the museum, which is located on Center Street in Westminster, will change from farmhouse to stylish Victorian manor ready for merrymaking.
Every year museum staff and volunteers spend hours planning and creating a historical holiday wonderland.
“We start decorating on November first and it takes three full weeks to complete everything,” said Dottie Freeman, administrator of the Carroll County farm Museum.
Throughout the tours, holiday music will play in and outside of the house. Carolers will stroll through the house and grounds and holiday carols will be played on an organ.
Outside the manor, visitors may see members of the Carrollton Hounds riding their horses through the grounds of the Farm Museum, adding a touch of Victorian elegance to the display.
And if guests like the horses, they may also enjoy visiting the “Horsing Around” carriage exhibit open in one of the outbuildings or simply taking a ride around the grounds of the Farm Museum in a mule-pulled wagon.
Of particular interest to children will be Santa’s Workshop, set up in the one-room log school house. A fire will warm the cozy Christmas cabin where young visitors can talk to Santa and hope to add their names to his list of good children.
Hungry visitors may stop by the Sleigh Bell Caf, located in the basement of the administration building. Warm up, rest for a bit and enjoy light luncheon fare including soups, sandwiches, pies, and beverages.
At the Living History Center and Blacksmith Shop of the Farm Museum, visitors may bask in the heat of the blacksmith’s workshop as they listen to the ring of hammer against anvil. Or they may watch as a tinsmith cuts icicle-shaped tree ornaments, quilters turn their delicate stitches into the patterns of a hand-sewn quilt, and traditional artisans work at chair caning or cooking on an open hearth.
Items created by the artisans make great souvenirs and holiday gifts and will be available for purchase in the Gift Shop. The shop will also be well stocked with Victorian era delights and hand made treats, such as glass pickle ornaments, key chains and “S” hooks fashioned by a blacksmith, handmade brooms, paper items, jewelry and more. Homemade jams, jellies, and apple butter are just some of the food items for sale. In addition, visitors may purchase the Farm Museum’s own 2007 collectible Christmas tree ornament.
Guests looking for a more personalized experience can make reservations for one of the Country Manor Christmas Teas.
Special events, held on selected dates, take place in the intimate setting of the Manor House’s Carroll Room with its claw-footed sofa and cozy chairs. Guests are served tea and sweet treats to the sounds of holiday music. After tea, a guides lead a more detailed tour through the decorated farmhouse.
