Old Fashioned Christmas in Columbus, Ohio

In the mood for an old fashioned holiday?  It may be 2010 but there's no reason why you can't travel back in time to experience Christmas 19th century style. The local house museums are all gussied up and ready for visitors.

At the Kelton House Museum and Garden, you can see a fabulous display of Victorian and early 20th century Christmas decorations from the collections of Michael Girard.  Open hours are Sunday afternoons from 1 - 4 p.m. They are also holding special tours for the month of December on Fridays from noon to 2 p.m.  The tours last about an hour, so make sure to get there early.  Admission is $6 and under.   

You are probably familiar with the song "Up on a Rooftop," but did you know that it was written by a composer in Westerville?  Come visit the Hanby House, home of Benjamin Hanby, for a dose of Christmas cheer.  They are holding a holiday open house on Saturday, December 4 and Tuesday, December 7 from 7-9 p.m., and Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 from 1-4:30 p.m.  Admission is $3 and under, or free to members of the Hanby House or Ohio Historical Society. 

If you are in the mood for something earlier, the Orange Johnson House in Worthington harks back to pioneer days.  They are also having a Christmas Open House on 3 Sundays, December 5th, 12th, and 18th from 1 - 5 pm.  There will be musical performances at 1:30 and 3:30 pm.  Admission is free.

A perennial favorite is the Ohio Historical Society's Dickens of a Christmas event at Ohio Village.  The entire village is decorated in mid-Victorian style, with wandering carolers and costumed interpreters giving demonstrations in the buildings.  This is the most interactive of the festivities, with hands on activities for both children and adults.  The dates are December 10, 11, 17, 18 from 6-9 p.m.  and on December 19 from noon-5 p.m.  Admission is $12 and under.

Please click on the links for more details, and have a wonderful holiday season!