Milton Museum opens its house

By LORINDA HENRY | Milton Independent Staff Writer

The Milton Historical Society is giving their annual Christmas card to the community with their traditional Old Fashioned Holiday Open House at the Milton Historical Museum from 1 to 4 the afternoon of December 9th. The music this year will be provided by harpist Jean Bowker from Underhill.

The Open House afternoon has come to be a quiet and relaxing family event that can be counted on to provide a little space in an increasingly hectic holiday season. Jenn Carrusone, who came with her family for the first time last year, says, “It was so nice. My kids, especially my older boy, had so much fun with the wooden toys.”

She was talking about the collection of hand fashioned wooden playthings that Stan “Santa” Henry brings each year, a real hands-on display of toys he has collected and made over the years. It seems obvious that that is a mutual feeling. When asked about his presence this year, Henry said, “I will be there. I really enjoy the kids, talking with them, the way their eyes light up.”

It is reassuring to know that one’s children can get involved and not just stand with their hands behind their backs in a beautiful and historic venue. Besides the toys, there will be a craft table where children (of all ages) may make a card or ornament; decorations; holiday historic exhibits; delicious seasonal refreshments; and of course the music.

There will also be a tall tree, reminiscent of the old-fashioned community trees that graced school houses all over New England in the 19th century. The tree is decorated with handmade ornaments. Scrap paper dolls and figures, chenille enhanced figures, cotton batting figures, and paper boots, shoes, hats and cones that often contained candy and nuts were popular; many have been recreated by Lorinda Henry for the society’s exhibit. Other decorations have been made by other members of the historical society, both past and present.

The society is hoping to have a display of antique and vintage santa figures for a special display; that had not been finalized in time for this writing, but there will be all of the toys and joys of yesteryear to see.

The event is free as always, but you will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets on an array of holiday prizes: First prize is a $100 gift certificate to University Mall; second prize is dinner and a movie -- $40 gift card to the Longhorn Restaurant and 2 movie tickets to the Majestic. Third prize is a $25 card for Hannaford. There are two fourth prizes – miniature lighted and decorated trees; also two fifth prizes of decorated wreaths. Tickets are $1 each, or 6 for $5. The drawing will be at 3:45 on December 9.

In addition the Historical Society calendars are here in time for gift giving. 2008 is the 30th year of the chartering of the Milton Historical Society and this year’s calendar features color photos of many of the activities of the society and events ant the museum sites over the years. Children who were small in the first years have children of their own now, and it is a great overview of a neighborhood over the years. The calendars are also available at the town clerk’s office for $10, or by mail for $12.

Proceeds from both calendars and raffle will go to the museum and for historic cemetery restoration. If you'd like one mailed to you, please send your mailing address and a check for $12 per calendar (payable to Milton Historical Society) to cover mailing costs to: Milton Historical Society, P.O. Box, 2, Milton, VT 05468. For more information on the celebration or calendars email miltonhistorical@aol.com or call (802)893-7387.