By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
During the magical season of Candlelight celebrations at Tryon Palace this year, a special tour is being offered for lovers of horticulture and history: Palace Décor Tours. This unique experience includes a guided tour of the Governor’s Palace and focuses on the decorations for the upcoming annual “Candlelight Christmas Celebration.”
Hadley Cheris, Tryon Palace Gardens and Greenhouse Manager, will lead the tour of the first floor of the Governor’s Palace, describing the special items historically used in the decorations, design and theme for holiday decor.
“This year’s Palace décor features a nod of the head to the British fascination with botany,” says Hadley Cheris. “Our building is filled with arrangements, fabric and garland focused on the maritime and specific plant components, like birds of paradise, named in honor of Queen Charlotte, whose portrait we display in the Council Chamber.” In place of real arrangements, garlands and wreaths, Hadley has carefully researched and chosen the highest “permanent botanicals” a.k.a. faux florals, in order to protect and preserve furnishing and structures. “I love sharing tips and tricks on how to use dried and faux florals for success in holiday decorating, both in the scale of the Palace and for people at home,” says Hadley.
An additional tour is available of the Stanly, Dixon and Commission Houses, focused on the decorations and traditions of Christmas past. Led by Matt Arthur, Tryon Palace Living History Coordinator and Hadley Cheris, the tour will describe holiday traditions at various periods during the last 300 years in each home, as well as the distinctive items used in the decorations.
“Our historic homes tour features a rare opportunity to focus on décor themes throughout the centuries,” says Hadley. “The Stanly house features more traditional greenery and winter florals echoing what would have been available to people in the 1770s to the early 1800s. The Dixon House features1850s styles, leaning more towards Victorian décor. It includes a table top tree complete with candles as well as greenery, blooms and glass vases. The Commission House displays our most modern time period, which we affectionally refer to as “Christmas nostalgia” using décor items from the 1940s- 60s.” The Commission House is a Tryon Palace staff favorite since many of the elements came from researching family memories, photos and stories. The house features mercury glass vases, a Christmas village and multiple Christmas trees, complete with bubble lights, tinsel, popcorn, cranberry garland and a color wheel!
Upcoming tour dates include December 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, and more information and tickets are available online at https://www.tryonpalace.org/events/palace-decor-tours. Please note that space is limited on each tour, flash photography is prohibited, and guests are required to wear masks.