The South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society has announced that the Annual Newton House Museum Christmas Open House will be held from 1 until 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the house, 510 N. Jackson, El Dorado.
“Come join us for some Christmas cheer as we celebrate the holidays circa 1849. The Newton House Museum is all decked out in period decorations and will be open for tours. Santa Claus will be on hand for pictures so bring your cameras. There will be plenty of refreshments on hand to enjoy as you listen to Christmas music performed by the ‘Blue Night Jazz Trio,’ featuring Jakobe Lange on drums, Alex Ellis on bass and Jonathan Sandy on piano. We will be singing Christmas Carols by the piano inside and throughout the afternoon we will be reciting the 1823 classic by Clement Clarke Moore, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas,’ more commonly known as ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ from its first line,” said Jack Wilson at the SAHPS. A children’s craft table will be set up that will allow young guests to create their own vintage style Christmas ornament to take home. The Newton House Museum gift shop will be open, featuring the Newton House’s own mayhaw jelly and other uniquely south Arkansas Christmas gifts.
“This year we have handpicked three vendors to participate in the Open House that offer handmade gift items – Vintage Button Jewelry by Harp Strings, Glass Ornaments & More from Elements Glass Art Studio and Francis Carson’s Vintage Coin Rings. Come to the Newton House Museum’s Open House to shop for Christmas gifts that cannot be found anywhere else in South Arkansas,” Wilson said.
“We have lots of parking available or if you are downtown for Main Street El Dorado’s Christmas Open House, grab the train or horse-drawn carriage for a ride to the museum and back,” he said.
For Christmas programming updates, contact the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society office at 870-862-9890 or go to the Newton House Museum’s Facebook page.