HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE >> The public is invited to experience an 1800s Christmas at Stone House Museum on Dec. 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Built in 1853 as Lake County”s first stone house, the museum is a California State Historical Monument. The house reflects family life of the era, filled with period furnishings and Christmas decorations. Holiday traditions in the 1800s were much the same as today, except in the Old West.
Pioneers decorated homes with natural materials, including evergreens, pinecones, holly, berries and nuts. Christmas trees were a part of the holiday decorations. The trees were adorned with homemade decorations — ribbons, shiny pieces of metal, popcorn or paper strips. Straw or yarn dolls were Christmas gifts.
Other homemade presents included carved wooden toys, knitted scarves, hats, mittens and socks. For many families, food for Christmas dinner came from the family”s livestock. Some food was prepared weeks in advance, as were handmade gifts. Some early settlers ordered from Sears and Roebuck catalogues.
The event coincides with Hidden Valley Lake Association tree lighting ceremony at Greenview Restaurant on Hartmann Road. There will be refreshments available, as well as holiday gift baskets. Music will be provided by locally known guitarist, John Zimmerman.
The Stone House Museum was restored and is maintained by the Stone House Historical Society. Membership is open to the public. Contact president Don Mancuso at 987-9297 or email stonehousehistoricalsociety@gmail.com for information.
The museum is located at 18174 Hidden Valley Road in Hidden Valley Lake.
