Christmas at the Ohio Village

The Ohio Historical Society opens the Ohio Village for special events. At Christmas, the Village is open and staffed with volunteers dressed in Victorian garb. This is an evening event, and the Village is only lit with gas lights and candles.

When we walked into the Village, we felt like we had stepped back in time. Be careful; and watch where you step. To help you see where you are going, the staff lines the walks and steps with luminaries and lanterns and tries to keep them lit. The first person that greeted us was Old St. Nick himself dressed in a Victorian St. Nick costume. He was very helpful and showed us how to use our map of the village to visit all the open sites.

The staff was all friendly. Any time we showed any interest in participating in activities, they were quick to get us involved. While the activities may be designed for kids, we participated and learned a lot about how the Victorians celebrated Christmas. We made mummers masks, hand tinted a Christmas card, made cranberry and popcorn chains to hang on a tree, and played parlor games.

The Historical Society also provided some entertainments that were similar to those the Victorians might have attended. There was a mummer performance, a story teller who told ghost stories, and a performance by Charles Dickens himself. Through out the evening we met the Ohio Village Singers who strolled through the village singeing carols. They also gave two performances in the town hall. We also met Bob Marley several times during our walk around the village. You could tell he was coming when you heard the chains clanging.

We also learned how to give a Cobweb Party. This is a fun activity that involves stringing yarn around a room—one color for everyone playing. Attached to the strands of yarn are little gifts like candy. When you reach the end of your strand of yarn, you get a bigger gift. This sounds like lots of fun and I am going to try it with my family.

The American House and Hotel was serving a limited menu of light meals like sandwiches and mac and cheese. The tavern was serving selected beverages. A local Boy Scout troop sold roasted chestnuts and hot cider. We had a good time and enjoyed celebrating Christmas without electric lights and expensive presents

Hours: Two week ends in December. Watch for ads next year.
Location: Ohio Village next to the Ohio Historical Society Museum
Fees (if applicable): $10/adult OHS member, $7/child OHS member, $12/adult nonmember, $9/child nonmember, $4/parking fee for nonmembers.
Additional information: Ohio Historical Society: Dickens Christmas