Mercer Museum Featuring Annual Christmas History Exhibit Now Through Jan. 1

The Mercer Museum in Doylestown now features an exhibit that looks back at Christmas over the year and shows how the holiday has become what we know it was today.

The annual exhibit, Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys, opened Nov. 19 and will be on display until Jan. 2 at the museum.

According to a press release, the exhibit features an array of trees decorated to the tastes of earlier eras along with displays of toys and games that once delighted children on Christmas morning’s past.

"It was not until the mid-1800s that the modern Christmas took root in America, becoming a truly national holiday with common rituals, symbols and meanings," the release said. "Under the Tree brings together two of the most powerful symbols of the American Christmas as it has come to be, the tree and its trimmings, and the gift. While the holiday includes other important symbols and meanings, it is these two traditions which elicit particularly strong sentiments and memories among those who celebrate Christmas."

The exhibit will displays Christmas tree ornaments and styles from the 1860 to the 1960s as well as toys, games, and more from the Victorian era up to the 1980s.

Admission to the Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys exhibit is included with
general Mercer Museum admission, which is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $8 for kids ages 6-17.

The museum also has several events scheduled in continuation with the exhibit.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, historic foodways expert Susan Plaisted will be at the museum to explain the story of gingerbread as it evolved from a mixture of ginger and breadcrumbs to its present-day form. The program will take place in the Mercer’s Log House and is included with museum admission.

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, adults can craft Victorian ornaments using paper, fabric and die cut paper scraps. Projects will include tinsel and cotton ornaments, spun glass Santas, paper cutouts and fairy ornaments. The workshop is $15 per person. Registration is required and can be done by calling (215) 348-9461.

The Mercer Museum is located at 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown.

Image via Mercer Museum