FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2007
Contact: Johnathan Campbell
(701) 328-9528
12TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE SET FOR
FORMER GOVERNORS’ MANSION NOVEMBER 25 AND DECEMBER 2
BISMARCK – The Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Bismarck will soon be decorated for the holiday season. The site’s 12th annual holiday open house, “A Victorian Holiday,” is scheduled for two Sundays. The dates are November 25 and December 2, both days from 1 to 5 p.m.
The open houses both Sundays are free and open to the public. On November 25, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Peg Schadler will play Christmas music on her keyboard. On December 2, also from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tom Porter and other musicians from Bismarck State College will perform. Also providing musical entertainment both Sunday afternoons will be Bismarck pianist Albert Lansberger, who will play the Steinway beginning at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will also be served both Sundays.
The open houses are sponsored by the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion and the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND). Located at the corner of Fourth Street and Avenue B, the site is one of 55 state historic sites managed by the state’s history agency.
The mansion is decorated in the Victorian theme for the holidays in honor of the early history of the house. The state purchased the residence in 1893. Some of the decorations are hand-made by the Heritage Volunteers of the SHSND. Others have been donated by the North Dakota Heritage Center Museum Store in Bismarck.
Also open both Sundays will be the mansion’s recently restored carriage house. Restoration of the exterior of the carriage house building recreates its appearance in 1903, when it was built. The interior of the building was rehabilitated to create an exhibit area and an ADA-accessible restroom. The featured exhibit, “From Buckets of Oats to Quarts of Oil,” represents a time of transition from the age of the horse and buggy to the era of the automobile.
The Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion is a volunteer board of concerned citizens who raise funds to help the SHSND restore the mansion, carriage house, and grounds. They will host the holiday open houses and serve hot apple cider. Heritage Volunteer mansion hosts will also be on hand to assist visitors. Heritage Volunteers are dedicated to assisting the SHSND in identifying, preserving and interpreting the heritage of North Dakota and its people.
Victorian-style homes were decorated for the holiday season as simply or as elaborately as the owner wished. Evergreens, holly, pressed ferns, dried leaves, straw flowers, grains and grasses were among the items used for decorating. Berries added color and interest. A wide variety of designs were created from these materials, such as mottoes, letters, greetings, wreaths and garlands. Along with candles, the holiday tree was decorated in homemade ornaments, including cornucopias, paper flowers, popcorn and cranberry garlands, paper chains, paper links and pine cones.
The Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site is open year-round. Its winter hours, now in place through May 15, are the second Friday and Saturday of each month, from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Here are the Fridays and Saturdays for each month the site will be open to visitors through the winter hours’ schedule: December 7-8, January 11-12, February 8-9, March 7-8, April 11-12, and May 9-10.
The site consists of a large two and one-half story, restored Victorian house, and the restored 1903 carriage house. Built in 1884, it housed 20 chief executives of North Dakota between 1893 and 1960. Unique exhibits feature the restoration process, architectural style changes and furniture used by several governors. The beautiful grounds feature many examples of the types of flowers typical of the Victorian era.
For schedule information, contact the State Historical Society at (701) 328-2666 or visit the agency’s web site at www.nd.gov/hist.
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