Laceyville’s Oldest House Readies for Warm & Cozy Christmas

Submitted Article/Photos by Rick Hiduk

Volunteers have been working for the past few weeks to get the Oldest House ready for its Annual Christmas Tea. The House was built around a vast chimney that houses five fireplaces. Themed around these fireplaces, the workers have created a warm and cozy atmosphere in which visitors can travel back to a time that depended on fireplaces and candles for warmth and illumination.

An annual event for the past 40 years, the tea is held to welcome the advent season and to say thank you to the community for all the love and support offered throughout the year. All three floors are decorated and open for the event. The upstairs ladies and gents are dressed for the cold weather and holidays in coats and muffs of days gone by.

The River Room walls have been adorned with 200 snowflakes crocheted by Jenny McMicken and hung in her memory surrounding a beautiful handmade dollhouse crafted by Donna Bennett. All the remaining rooms have been decorated using the handmade decorations created over the years by house members.

Downstairs in the Keeping Room, the tradition continues with an early American look. The decorations are simple and center on the large fireplace. Lorrain Brewer has generously shared her antique dollhouse built and furnished by the late Ruth Pickett.

A special tree in the dining room has been hung with handmade booties, mittens, and hats donated by Elton Salsman. House members have donated additional mittens and hats; all will be given to organizations helping infants and children in our area. If you would like to help: bring mittens, hats, and booties to the tea to help fill our baskets.

This year The Christmas Tea will be held at the Oldest House on Laceyville’s East Main Street, November 30 from 4-8pm with a concert by the Tunkhannock Dulcimers at 6pm. Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, the house will be open from 11am-5pm. Come one and all. Enjoy mulled cider and cookies and lots of great conversation. Admission is free. For more information, call 570-869-1679.

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