FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2008

The Evolution of Christmas presented at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

Kathy Maher, Executive Director and Curator of The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport will present a special program, “The Evolution of Christmas” on Weds., December 12 at 11 a.m. at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave., Norwalk CT.

Maher will explain and show pictures of how the idea of Christmas became woven into American tradition based on an evolution of the tales and traditions during the Victorian era. Maher will chronicle the development from the 19th Century holiday season through present day. Patrons will learn how the Christmas tree and other traditions such as family meals and décor became important parts of our 20th and now 21st Century family festivities. From sugared fruits and homemade ornaments, to glass decorations and the earliest electric tree lights, the presentation will be a wonderful journey into holidays past. The cost of the program is $25 for members and $30 for non-members and includes a light lunch and tour of the first floor of the mansion following the lecture. For more information and reservations contact: [email protected] or 203-838-9799 ext. 4.

From Nov. 23, 2012 through January 6, 2013, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is presenting “Grand Holiday at the Mansion: From Victorian to Modern.” This exhibit features glorious Victorian holiday exhibits displayed throughout the first floor. Period rooms will be decorated to show changing traditions from the 1850s through the 1890s with many different Christmas trees, a holiday table setting and Victorian children’s toys.

A special treat this year will be a display of holiday traditions from the early 1930s drawing inspiration from a letter written by Florence Mathews, the last resident of the Mansion, in 1933.

Regular tour hours are noon - 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and General Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children and young adults ages 8-18.

To learn more about The Barnum Museum’s current Recovery in Action exhibition Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. through January 4, 2013 and programs visit: barnum-museum.org or call 203-331-1104. You can also visit the museum on Facebook, view past programs at www.barnummuseumexhibitions.org or communicate on Twitter @BarnumMuseum.