Holiday tours at the Wood County Historical Center and Museum will be coming to life this season with
"Living Christmas Card" exhibits.
The four exhibits span Christmas settings from the Civil War through the 1950s.
"We are trying to make the tour more interactive for the public with the interpreters and crafts so
they can get the idea of what Christmas was like during these time periods," said Kelli Kling, who
is in charge of marketing, public relations and special events at the historical center.
"We have four exhibit rooms that will come to life with costumed interpreters," Kling said.
The interactive tour begins in the Civil War room where attendees will make gingerbread cookies for a
Civil War solider.
From there, the tour heads to the one-room school, where the teacher is getting reading for a Christmas
pageant in the 1870s.
At the school, guests will help the teacher decorate the tree, and prepare her lessons.
In the arts and crafts room, guests will help a 1911-era family decorate their tree with handmade
decorations.
The tour then moves to the 1950s-era soda fountain complete with greasers and soda jerks. Girls will be
playing tunes on the piano and a group will be preparing to go caroling.
"All of our interpreters have done research about their time period," Kling said.
"I think the contrast between the rooms will be eye-opening," she said.
Holiday tours begin Thursday and run through Dec. 18, but the "Living Christmas Cards" exhibits
will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16 and Dec. 18 from 1-4 p.m.
The theme for the holiday tours is "Christmas Treasures." It is aimed at reminding people of
traditions and cherished holiday memories.

Snow globes, over 100 mechanical villages, military memories, and other holiday traditions are part of
the displays.
A working railroad display, with both the Polar Express and Thomas the Tank Engine will be featured
during the tours.
Live music will also be piped throughout the museum.
Admissions for the holiday tours are $5 for adults and $1 for children. There are fees for some of the
workshops and teas.
A winter wonderland theme, with 18 Christmas trees, will be displayed outside.
There is also a jumbo-sized Christmas card which, along with the decorated Christmas trees, can be used
as a backdrop for photos.
New this year to the festivities is a wreath raffle. In November, the historical center hosted
wreath-making workshops and there were 16 wreaths donated by creators for a raffle. Tickets are $1 each
or six for $5. They will be raffled off on Dec. 18.
The historical center will also be hosting its annual Holiday Gala Fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday.
Admission is $20 and includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, champagne and a silent auction. For
reservations, call (419) 352-0967.
Holiday tour schedule:
Thursday – Christmas Tea, 2 p.m.; tour, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Friday ¬?- Tour, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; gala, 6-9 p.m.
Saturday – Gingerbread workshop/cookie decorating, railroad display and tour, 1-4 p.m.
Sunday – Tour and railroad display, 1-4 p.m.; Toraigh an Sonas Celtic Ensemble 3-4 p.m.
Monday/Tuesday – Tour, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 14 – Visit with Santa, 6-8 p.m.; Tour, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 15 – Christmas tea, 2 p.m.; Living Christmas Cards/visit with Santa, 6-8 p.m.; Acoustic Magic
performance, 5-8 p.m.; Tour, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec.16 – Living Christmas Cards/dulcimer music by Kathy Baltz, 6-8 p.m.; Tour, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 17 – Railroad display/gingerbread cookie decorating/tour, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Tour/railroad display, 1-4 p.m.; BGHS Madrigals, 1:30 p.m.; Back Porch Dulcimers, 2:30 p.m.;
Wreath raffle winners announced, 3:30 p.m.; Living Christmas Cards, 6-8 p.m.