Joseph Keller (left), 5, of Romulus, and his brother, Matthew, 7, greet Santa Dec. 4 during a Victorian Christmas celebration at the Dearborn Historical Museum’s Commandant’s Quarters, 21950 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Festive greens, fine china and an evergreen decked with candles and garlands set the stage Dec. 4 for a Victorian Christmas celebration at the Dearborn Historical Museum’s Commandant’s Quarters.
Acting Chief Curator Jack Tate said they were offering children’s crafts on the second floor, tea and cookies in the basement, and visits with Santa on the main floor.
He said he enjoys listening to the dulcimer music and seeing children confer with Santa.
Tate said safety concerns preclude a live Christmas tree in the Commandant’s Quarters, and noted that the decorations on the tree are reproductions from the Victorian era (which ran from 1837 to 1901).
“The tree has candles on it that don’t get lit,” he said.
Tate said that because of the pandemic, they expected fewer guests this year, but he did see many of their regular supporters return.
He said they are launching a campaign to change the exhibits and repaint it the Commandant’s Quarters, and they recently received at $10,000 federal grant to help them.
Volunteer Loren Harvey said the Victorian Christmas activities at the Commandant’s Quarters make for a good community event.
“It is a low-cost event for the community to come out and enjoy, learn about local history and meet some of the museum staff,” she said. “The Victorian decorations are all beautiful, and it is fun to see how people celebrated Christmas during that time.”
Volunteer Brenda Purkiss, who makes some of the costumes used by the volunteers, said she enjoys the accomplishment of creating a character. She said she started about eight years ago, costuming some of the school program presenters, which was a hit with the students.
“After that, I decided, I can sew, and I can make costumes, because it makes the program much better if people are not in regular street clothes, if they are in the costume of the era,” she said.
Matthew Keller, 7, of Romulus, who came to see Santa, said he liked seeing the model of the original garrison, as well as the model ships on display.
His brother, Joseph Keller, 5, said seeing Santa was the best part of the visit.
Their father, Greg Keller, said Joseph was fascinated by the architecture of the Commandant’s Quarters, as well.
“It’s good for kids to be kids, while they can be,” he said. “And they learn about Dearborn and appreciating things of the past, too.”
Their mom, Crystal Keller, said it is an opportunity to enjoy lessons in real life. She said she enjoyed the explanations from the volunteers.
“The decorations are beautiful, too,” she said with a smile.
The table is set for a Victorian Christmas celebration Dec. 4 at the Dearborn Historical Museum’s Commandant’s Quarters, 21950 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.