Hadley Cheris, Tryon Palace Gardens and Greenhouse Manager
This holiday season, Tryon Palace is bustling with events that celebrate the joys of the season. We’re delighted to share our new décor in the Palace featuring the four seasons and take you on a journey through Christmas traditions past! Our schedule of events features something special every day at the Palace, from the unveiling of holiday decorations on November 19th, to the last Candlelight of the season on December 17th!
Every Monday and Wednesday, from November 21st to December 14th, join us for a behind the scenes tour of the Palace to view the new decorations created for this year’s Candlelight story! The tours are led by yours truly, and I will share the tips and tricks of how we decorate, and some of our favorite materials and sources for great long-lasting displays. You’ll also learn how we’ve changed our décor over time, and what would have been more traditional in the Royal Governor’s household during the 1770s. These tours begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Palace Front Gates, at the corner of Pollock and George Streets.
If you’re more interested in the history behind many of our Christmas traditions, we invite you to join us for a special tour through time as we explore the decorated Stanly, Dixon, and Commission houses. We’ll start in the early 1800s and make our way through the centuries to the Christmases of the 1950s and 60s. As we explore these traditions, you’ll also learn about the families who called these places home and some of the ways they celebrated the holiday season. We’ll also discuss the holiday décor in each home and discuss why some things may not be as you’d expect from your own celebrations. These tours take place November 29, through December 16, with Tuesday tours at 4 p.m. and Friday tours at 10:30 a.m. We’ll meet at the Waystation (corner of Pollock and George Streets) to begin our journey through time and tradition.
Tickets for both tours and our Candlelight holiday celebrations on December 10th, and 17th, are on sale now! Tickets are available online at www.tryonpalace.org, and can be purchased at the Ticket Desk at the North Carolina History Center. We hope you’ll join us for a little seasonal magic!
Happy Holidays!