Join us this holiday season for a festive party like you have never seen before!
"Victorian Christmas: A Yuletide Social" takes you back to 1875 where you can experience what the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas were in the frontier Army. Our team and period reenactors in military and civilian dress will be on hand to educate and entertain the public through historic presentations, games, carols, period food and beverages, historic firearm demonstrations (conditions permitting), gift & decoration making, and more!
This special event will be held inside the Custer House, located on Cavalry Square on Saturday, December 6th from 11 am-5:00 pm. All ages are welcome to attend; we have something for everyone! Whether you stay for the whole event or stop in for a short while, you'll be sure to have a historic good time.
Victorian Christmas Schedule
11:00AM β Event Kickoff: Firing Weapons (conditions permitting)
A demonstration outside the commissary will be conducted on the firing of weapons, and the relation of such as a common way to celebrate Christmas in the period.
11:30AM β Tree Decorating
A brief talk on the history of the Christmas Tree and Victorian era tree decorations will be provided. Afterwards, members of the public are invited to help reenactors decorate the tree together. Pre-made popcorn strings, candles, bows, etc. will be on hand and ready to pick from and decorate the tree with.
12:00PM - βFrontier Christmasβ Program
A talk on the history of celebrating Christmas at western frontier forts will be conducted, examining various stories of celebrating the holiday at military posts in the frontier west.
1:00PM - Parlor Games
Period appropriate parlor games will be led by reenactors in the Custer House parlor. Everyone is welcome to participate or simply observe.
2:00PM - βWinter Campaigningβ Program
A talk on the history of what it was like to participate in military campaigns conducted in the winter on the western frontier.
3:00PM β Caroling
Popular Christmas carols for the period will be sung by reenactors. Everyone present is welcome to participate with period correct lyrics sheets being provided beforehand.
3:30PM - βWinter at the Fortβ Program
A talk will be provided on the historical realities of the common soldierβs life in winter time on the western frontier.
4:15PM - Firing Weapons
Weapons will once again be fired in celebration of the holiday season.
4:30PM - Event Ends
Ongoing Activities Include:
-Victorian Decorations/Crafts
-Christmas Storytelling
ο§ 12:00-12:30
ο§ 1:00-1:30
ο§ 3:30-4:00
-Historical Scavenger Hunt with prizes available upon completion
-Victorian/Military Costume Photo Op
Period Appropriate Food and Beverages will include:
-Coriander Cookies
-Mincemeat Pies
-Plum Pudding
-Eggnog
(hot chocolate, apple cider, and modern-day sugar cookies will also be available)
*Custer House event location is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
***Dogs are NOT allowed inside the Commissary/Custer House unless they are a registered service animal.
Event tickets are required to attend. Tickets are $5 per person [children and adults]. Children under the age of 5 are free to attend. Tickets will be on sale at the park entrance booth and at the Commissary Store. A $7 Daily Vehicle Pass, or an ND State Parks Annual Pass is still required to enter the park.
Really feeling the holiday spirit? Then join us next week for the annual "Light the Blockhouse Hike" on Sunday, December 14th!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1297075545301552
For more information about Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park visit www.parkrec.nd.gov. For more information about the event call 701-667-6340. #visitmandan #christmas #victorianstyle #jollygoodtime
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