Get in the Holiday Spirit at the Old Stone School in Hillsboro

Get in the Holiday Spirit this Season with Two Weekends of Festivities at the Old Stone School

Go back in time and celebrate the holiday season in and around Hillsboro, Virginia with the non-profit Friends of the Old Stone School two weekends in a row! Festivities will start on Sunday, December 4 with the Greens Workshop followed by a potluck and tree lighting that the non-profit co-hosts with the Town of Hillsboro. Festivities continue the following weekend when decorations made by volunteers at the Greens Workshop will be displayed during the Christmas in Hillsboro Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, December 10 featuring five historic homes within driving distance from the Old Stone School. Shoppers will have two days to get high-quality, hand-crafted items at the annual holiday craft fair and outdoor market at the Old Stone School on December 10 and 11.

Greens Workshop—Sunday, December 4, noon to 5 p.m.

All are welcome to come to the Old Stone School to help make decorations for the five historic homes on tour. At the Greens Workshop, experts will show volunteers how to make wreaths, swags, and other arrangements using fresh greens as they did in years gone by. There is no cost for the workshop, and you can see your decorations in one of the homes on tour! Bring your own gloves and clippers, and enjoy a fun time with friends and neighbors. To sign up, visit www.OldStoneSchool.org.

Town Tree Lighting and Potluck—Sunday, December 4, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bring some goodies or savories to share and help us count down to the lighting of the Town tree in front of the Old Stone School. Singers from the neighboring Hillsboro Charter Academy will perform during the festivities. This annual event, open to all, is co-hosted by the Friends of the Old Stone School and the Town of Hillsboro. RSVP online at www.OldStoneSchool.org

Historic Homes Tour—December 10, noon to 6 p.m.

Five historic homes in the Hillsboro area will be beautifully decorated for the holidays and open to paid ticket holders from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 during the Christmas in Hillsboro Historic Homes Tour. Candlelight tours start at 3 p.m. You will have a chance to see the homes while volunteer docents give you a history of the home and the unique architecture and antiques in the rooms. Tickets for the tour are $20 ($17 in advance), $18 for seniors and students ($15 in advance), and 10 and under are free. You may purchase tickets online at www.OldStoneSchool.org. The Christmas in Hillsboro Historic Homes Tour starts at the Old Stone School at 37098 Charles Town Pike in Hillsboro, where you get your tickets and booklet with information about the homes on tour and their location. From there, you will drive to each of the five homes on tour. Please be sure to dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes. We are looking for volunteer docents to help with the tour (and docents get a free house tour ticket). To volunteer, go to www.OldStoneSchool.org.

Annual Holiday Craft Fair and Outdoor Market—December 10 and 11

Get high-quality, handcrafted items at the Old Stone School during the annual Holiday Craft Fair and Outdoor Market on December 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and December 11 from noon to 4 p.m. Find gifts for friends and family, and pick up something for yourself too. Artisans will be on both levels of the historic building, on the grounds, and even in the adjacent Hillsboro Charter Academy. There will also be food and a beer and wine garden and live music with the Catoctin School of Music and other performers. Watch for a list of participating artisans at www.OldStoneSchool.org.

Make sure to leave enough time to enjoy the many other activities in and around Hillsboro on December 10. There will be a freewill offering dinner at Hillsboro United Methodist Church starting at 11:00 a.m., and visit some of the local businesses in the Hillsboro area that are offering specials to house tour ticket holders.

The Greens Workshop and the Christmas in Hillsboro Historic Homes Tour and Craft Fair are hosted by the non-profit Friends of the Old Stone School. The annual tree lighting and potluck are co-hosted by the Friends of the Old Stone School and the Town of Hillsboro. Get more information about volunteer opportunities, the holiday festivities, how you can support our efforts as a sponsor, and purchase tickets on the Friends of the Old Stone School website at www.OldStoneSchool.org. For regular updates, like Friends of the Old Stone School on Facebook.

The Friends of the Old Stone School is a non-profit organization with a mission to help preserve and restore the Old Stone School and other landmarks of historical importance in the greater Hillsboro area. This volunteer non-profit relies on donations and membership dues. To learn more and support their efforts, visit www.OldStoneSchool.org.