Christmas activities begin tonight at Monroe County Museum

The Monroe News
·2 min read
The large Christmas tree in Sieb Hall nearly reaches the ceiling and is surrounded by an extended Christmas village and a new miniature Polar Express this year.
The large Christmas tree in Sieb Hall nearly reaches the ceiling and is surrounded by an extended Christmas village and a new miniature Polar Express this year.
Roasted chestnuts are a Christmas favorite, and a tradition for the museum staff and community. The nuts are scored and carefully roasted, bringing out the soft, sweet flavor. Roasting demonstrations begin tonight.
Roasted chestnuts are a Christmas favorite, and a tradition for the museum staff and community. The nuts are scored and carefully roasted, bringing out the soft, sweet flavor. Roasting demonstrations begin tonight.

Christmas festivities begin today at the Monroe County Museum System.

  • Holiday activities at the museum kick-off tonight, with the City of Monroe’s Downtown Monroe Tree Lighting event.

More:Downtown Monroe Tree Lighting slated for Friday

  • A chestnut roasting demonstration will begin at 4 today in Loranger Square.

  • The decorated museum, 126 S. Monroe St., will be open until 9 tonight.

  • The museum will remain decorated through Dec. 29 and will be open to view. Decorations include a centerpiece Christmas tree, a miniature Polar Express and the holiday-themed exhibit “A Retro ‘50s Christmas.” Also on display will be items for the Findley Santa Collection and the Peltier Christmas Village.

  • Starting Dec. 1, visitors can see a historic toy daily from the museum’s collection, both on Facebook and in person. Items from the Artifact Advent Calendar include very old and newer items.

  • Chestnut roasting demonstrations also will take place on the museum’s front lawn Dec. 2 and 3, during the “Nutcracker Ballet” performances at the nearby River Raisin Centre for the Arts. The ballet will be staged at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

  • On select Saturdays during the Christmas season, “YesterWays: Holiday Edition” will be offered. Attendees can make their own pomander.

Fruit pomanders were once a popular Christmas tradition. Studding citrus fruits with cloves produces a pleasing aroma and cures the fruit as it dries, allowing a pomander to last many, many years. A pomander from 1890 is currently on display in the "200 Years And Counting" exhibit on the museum’s first floor.
Fruit pomanders were once a popular Christmas tradition. Studding citrus fruits with cloves produces a pleasing aroma and cures the fruit as it dries, allowing a pomander to last many, many years. A pomander from 1890 is currently on display in the "200 Years And Counting" exhibit on the museum’s first floor.

“In the Middle Ages, pomanders were tiny openwork containers for perfumes and fragrant herbs worn like jewelry,” the museum said. “During the Victorian era, homemade fruit pomanders decorated with cloves and ribbons became a popular Christmas tradition.”

Pomanders can be made free from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 and 26 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17.

  • The museum is again collecting letters for Santa through Dec. 9. Letters can be dropped off anything in the museum’s mail slot.

“Santa was overjoyed at the many letters he received from the children last year, so he asked us to tell everyone how much he’d like to hear from them again,” the museum said. “We’ll make sure they all get to the North Pole. Don’t forget the return address to ensure a response.”

A letter template can be downloaded at monroecountymuseum.com or picked up at the museum.

  • The museum is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots until Dec. 16. Items can be placed in the collection box in Sieb Hall at the museum.

The Monroe County Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission and activities are free; the public is welcome.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Christmas activities begin tonight at Monroe County Museum