Christmases of Yesterday

12/06/2009 - 12/31/2009

Location: Aiken-Rhett House, the Nathaniel Russell House
Address: 48 Elizabeth Street , 51 Meeting Street
Phone: 843-724-8481
Web Site: http://www.historiccharleston.org


CHARLESTON, SC – The public is invited to experience Christmas in the Lowcountry at two of Charleston’s premier historic house museums. The Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting St., and the Aiken-Rhett House, 48 Elizabeth St., will be dressed for the season from St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6, 2009 through the end of the year.

Exhibits at the Nathaniel Russell House will portray Christmas in 1808, the year the Federal-era mansion was completed. Before Santa Claus and the Christmas tree became popular, Charlestonians celebrated the season by gathering with family and friends to feast on sweets and delicacies. Natural foliage will adorn the house and a grand dining table will be laden with treats as if awaiting the arrival of the Russell’s holiday guests.

“Charlestonians were renowned for their lavish style of entertaining, and Christmas celebrations were the most lavish of all,” said Valerie Perry, Historic Charleston Foundation’s Associate Director of Museums.

A Victorian Christmas in the South will captivate visitors to the Aiken-Rhett House. On the eve of the Civil War, the urban villa owned by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken was the focus of the holiday social season in Charleston. Decorations will hearken back to the time of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and the first use of “Christmas trees.”

Visit both the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House to explore the evolution of holiday traditions as celebrated by generations of Charlestonians.

Admission for each house museum is $10 for adults, $6 for youths 6-16. Combination tickets are available at $16 for adults, $10 for youths 6-16. Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. with the last tour at 4:15 p.m., Mon. through Sat.; 2 - 5 p.m., Sunday. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call (843) 724-8481 or visit www.historiccharleston.org for more information.



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