Greenbush, Wis. -- Horse-drawn wagons with jingling sleigh bells will transport guests through wooded trails during “A Wade House Christmas” this December 9^th and 10^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual event, depicting a classic 19th-century Yankee and German-influenced Christmas celebration, is a journey back in time where guests will discover an authentically decorated home, participate in period games and crafts, and learn about historic holiday traditions.

“Our annual Christmas celebration highlights how Betsy and Sylvanus Wade would have experienced this holiday in the mid-1800s when the Wade House opened,” said Bridgitt Zielke, site director, Wade House. “The horse-drawn wagon rides are back so guests will have a true taste of historic travel while enjoying an 1860s Wisconsin Christmas celebration.”

Activities will abound on each of the three levels of the 27-room inn. Guests will be greeted by historically dressed interpreters and learn about the origins of Santa Claus and his gift-giving tradition in the historic tap room. A visit to the lady’s parlor, graced with fresh evergreen garlands and a freshly cut, candle-lit Christmas tree, showcases 1860s style and features live period music performed by a violin and guitar player. The dining room, featuring a craft table, will inspire guests to create authentic decorations from Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular women’s book of the period. Children can discover the third floor where old-fashioned games like “Button, button, who’s got the button?” will take place along with a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Charles Dickens.

The aroma of mulled cider and plum pudding will waft out from the inn’s 19th-century kitchens and entice guests into these culinary spaces where they’ll learn about the longstanding association of plum pudding with the Christmas season.

The festivities continue in the Wade House Visitor Center and Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, where seasonal décor, live music and children’s activities will add to the festive spirit. On Saturday, Dec. 9, local performances include Kohler Madrigals at 11:30 a.m., Random Lake Chamber Singers at 12:45 p.m. and Sheboygan North Northern Lights at 2 p.m. The Elkhart Lake Jazz Ensemble will perform on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3:15 p.m. Families are invited to decorate cookies in the Walnut Room and a scavenger hunt will take place in the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum throughout the weekend.

The cost is $15 for guests 13+, $13 for seniors 65 and up, $8 for children 5-12 and free for children under five. Tickets are sold onsite. Advance registration is encouraged.

For information, visit wadehouse.org.

View the photo gallery here.

About Wade House

Wade House is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Located in Greenbush, the site includes an 1850s stagecoach inn that was built to serve traffic along a plank road connecting Fond du Lac and Sheboygan. The site tells the story of frontier entrepreneur Sylvanus Wade and his family during the 1850s and 1860s. In addition to the inn, the historic site includes the Dockstader blacksmith shop and Herrling sawmill, one of the few working, water-powered sawmills of its kind in the nation. Wade House is also home to the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, which houses the state's largest collection of antique carriages and working wagons. For more information and a list of upcoming events call (920) 526-3271 or visit wadehouse.org. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active, and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs, and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.