Festival of Trees becoming a Warsaw Christmas tradition

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·3 min read
Entries into the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum from Whit's Frozen Custard/Coshocton Coffee Connection and Jacobs Vanaman Agency. The public can view the 27 trees in the festival the next two Saturdays and Sundays.
Entries into the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum from Whit's Frozen Custard/Coshocton Coffee Connection and Jacobs Vanaman Agency. The public can view the 27 trees in the festival the next two Saturdays and Sundays.

WARSAW — The fifth annual Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum is about increasing awareness of the museum and adding to the holiday season.

The festival has 27 trees, up a few from years past. Trees are created and donated by various local businesses, clubs and individuals. The festival wasn't held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An entry into the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum by woodcrafter Don Scifres.
An entry into the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum by woodcrafter Don Scifres.

One of the most unique trees this year was created by woodcrafter Don Scifres. It's a series of wooden shelves shaped like a tree adorned with figurines and knick-knacks.

Another tree was donated by Tony West of Jacobs Vanaman Agency and was created by his wife, Beth. The theme is shop local and it has various business cards, handmade cards and crocheted ropes with buttons.

"It shows there's a future for what we've got here," said Brenda Davis regarding the support for the Festival of Trees. "That kind of support is invaluable, when the different businesses and everything appreciate what you're doing and contribute to it."

Brenda Davis of the Walhonding Valley Historical Society points out one of her favorite entries in this year's Festival of Trees from Jacobs Vanaman Agency. The theme is shop local.
Brenda Davis of the Walhonding Valley Historical Society points out one of her favorite entries in this year's Festival of Trees from Jacobs Vanaman Agency. The theme is shop local.

The public was able to view the trees during the recent Christmas parade and events in Warsaw. Davis, who co-chairs the event and sits on the historical society's board of trustees, said more than 100 visitors came through that night.

David said the festival has been a good way to bring in new people into the museum.

An entry from the Warsaw Post Office for the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum in Warsaw.
An entry from the Warsaw Post Office for the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum in Warsaw.

"We've had a lot of people come in, especially younger people, and say 'gosh, we didn't know you had all this in here,'" Davis said. "When they come in and see the local history of the schools and the military and other things, they're amazed."

The historical society was founded in 2001 and the museum is in the old Commercial Hotel building at 102 E. Main St. It's focused on preserving the history of the western part of Coshocton County through various memorabilia. Items range from old military uniforms and varsity jackets worn by locals to a barber's chair and mail slot wall from the old post office in Nellie.

The newest item in the collection of the Walhonding Valley Historical Society is an embroidered silk wall hanging honoring the Civil War service of John Wesley Stanton.
The newest item in the collection of the Walhonding Valley Historical Society is an embroidered silk wall hanging honoring the Civil War service of John Wesley Stanton.

The newest item to the collection is also one of the most unique. Davis said it was donated to the society in November from a retired school teacher in Holmes County who bought it at an auction. The embroidered silk hanging honors the Civil War career of John Wesley Stanton, who is buried in Valley View Cemetery. Davis plans to get the hanging matted and reframed.

"I wanted it on display this Christmas break for people to see, then I'm going to take it down and have it redone," she said.

Entries in the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum from Fischer's Funeral Home and Warsaw Dari-Land.
Entries in the Festival of Trees at the Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum from Fischer's Funeral Home and Warsaw Dari-Land.

The Walhonding Valley Historical Society and Museum is open from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 12 for viewing of the Festival of Trees and the museum in general. Those wishing to arrange a special viewing can call the museum at 740-824-4000.

llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com

@llhayhurst

740-295-3417

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Festival of Trees becoming a Warsaw tradition