A Feast of Twelfth Nights at Pottsgrove Manor

The display in the works.

Today marks the first day of the holiday season at Pottsgrove Manor when the "Twelfth Night Tours" begin.
 
Visit through Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, for a glimpse of colonial life during the holiday season.

One of my favorite photos of Pottsgrove Manor.

With the historic site’s annual “Twelfth Night Tours,” visitors of all ages can enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful 1752 Georgian manor house, decorated with greenery for Yuletide.

Along the way, guests will learn about traditional English celebrations of Twelfth Night and how they differed from modern Christmas celebrations.

The tours are offered during regular museum hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will also want to stop into Pottsgrove Manor’s museum shop for unique, historically-oriented gifts like locally-made redware pottery and ornaments, reproduction glassware, handcrafted candles and soaps, books, toys, games, and more.

The museum shop is open during regular museum hours.

Then, on Sunday, Dec. 9, a special treat has been prepared, the annual “Pottsgrove Manor by Candlelight” open-house from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Curator Amy Reis puts the finishing touches
on a display of food in one of the period
rooms.

The public is invited to take a self-guided tour of the 1752 manor house, where costumed interpreters will portray the colonial residents of Pottsgrove Manor.

As visitors make their way through the house, they will hear the strains of music played on historical instruments, see English country dancing, catch a whiff of the delicious smells in the kitchen as historical cook, Deborah Peterson, prepares a colonial feast, play traditional tavern games, and enjoy the beauty of the mansion lit by candlelight and bedecked with greenery.

Next door to the mansion in the Miller’s House, young visitors can make free colonial crafts to take home, and complimentary seasonal refreshments of hot spiced cider and cookies will be served.

Outside in the manor’s courtyard, visitors will be able to warm themselves by a bonfire (weather permitting) and enjoy historic carols sung by the Colonial Revelers singing group between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

How the display looked last year when finished.

A donation of $2 per person is suggested for this event.

Visitors are asked to park at the Carousel at Pottstown building, 30 West King Street; a shuttle will transport visitors to and from Pottsgrove Manor throughout the event.

Handicapped parking is available in the museum’s parking lot.

Pottsgrove Manor, home of John Potts, colonial ironmaster and founder of Pottstown, is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown.

Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks and Heritage Services Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department.

For more information and a full calendar of events, visit the website at http://historicsites.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor or follow Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PottsgroveManor.