Thursday, November 14, 2024
Relive the Holiday Festivities of the 19th-century at “A Wade House Christmas”
Historic merriment fills the air as the 1850s Stagecoach Inn celebrates the festive season with favorite past traditions along with NEW experiences
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GREENBUSH, Wis. (Nov.14, 2024) – Relive the holidays of yesteryear at “A Wade House Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15. For one weekend, the 1850s stagecoach inn will be transformed into a festive celebration, showcasing traditions rooted in its original English and German heritage. New highlights include a Victorian Father Christmas who will greet guests for photos in an authentic 1800s sleigh. Additionally, the Dockstader Blacksmith Shop will be open for holiday crafting demonstrations.
Guests will begin their journey with a sleighbell-jingling, horse-drawn wagon ride from the Visitors Center to the Wade House Inn. The historic stagecoach inn, adorned with fresh garlands, greenery and a Victorian-style Christmas tree, transforms into a festive wonderland featuring live historical musical performances, holiday crafting projects inspired by the popular turn-of-the-century "Godey's Lady's Book," and readings of "The Night Before Christmas." The aroma of steaming plum pudding will beckon guests to the kitchen, where they can learn about this Christmas tradition, while enjoying hot mulled cider.
Next, head to a charming white cottage, beautifully decorated with fresh boughs and ribbons, for a festive holiday photo. Father Christmas, straight out of the Victorian era, will await guests in 19th-century green sleigh with red runners ready to welcome families for this special “vintage” photo experience. The cost is $7 for the photo.
The Dockstader Blacksmith Shop, where 19th-century ironworks come to life, will also be open this festive season. Watch as the Blacksmith crafts candy cane ornaments in real-time. These ornaments will be sold in the gift shop.
The Visitors Center, home to the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, will host carolers throughout the weekend. This year’s lineup includes Sound Celebration (10:30 a.m.) and Kohler High School Madrigal Singers (4 p.m.) on Saturday and Sheboygan North High School Northern Lights (11:30 a.m.), Sheboygan North High School Holiday Strings (1 p.m.) and Random Lake High School Chamber Singers (2 p.m.) on Sunday.
Guests can participate in scavenger hunts, cookie decorating and festive games throughout the Visitors Center and enjoy reading about favorite holiday traditions while visiting the Wesley J. Jung Museum Stagecoach Museum.
This event is $15 for adults and teens, $13 for seniors (65+), $8 for children five to 12 and free for children under five. Society members receive a 10% discount for this event. Tickets can be purchased here or by going to wadehouse.org. The Wade House Historic Site is located at W7965 State Highway 23, Greenbush, Wisconsin 53026.
For more information, go to wadehouse.org or call (920) 526-3271.
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, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
About Wade House
Wade House is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Located in Greenbush, the site includes an1850s 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.
