Dressed For The Holidays

(NAPSI)-When it's the holiday season in the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa., the historic sites, villages, inns, malls and more are dressed in their holiday best.

Pottsgrove Manor, once the Pottstown summer home of ironmaster John Potts, showcases the elegance of a traditional 18th century English Christmas from Nov. 24 through Jan. 11. On Dec. 14, the manor hosts its Colonial Candlelight Open House with Colonial music, costumed historians, period fare prepared by Susan Plaisted, and entertainment by the Tapestry Dance Ensemble.

The home of former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel Pennypacker, Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville, will be wrapped in grand Victorian holiday style from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4. During the site's Victorian Christmas Open House on Dec. 13 costumed historians, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus, greet guests who also witness toy candy making.

Ft. Washington's Hope Lodge has rooms furnished in the Colonial style (1743-1770) and in the Colonial Revival style (1922-1953). From Dec. 5 through 7, the mansion is trimmed with trees, lights and more.

Thirty-five themed Christmas trees, including one suspended from the ceiling; a multitude of Santa Clauses of many eras; and an extensive Christmas village decorate the seven-room Shearer Elegance Bed & Breakfast in Linfield.

All the area's malls, including King of Prussia (the nation's largest retail mall) are bedecked with ornaments, garlands and Santas assuring hopeful kids.

An outdoor Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 celebrates the season in Skippack Village, along Route 73, in Skippack. Santa arrives to the joy of little children and choirs perform.

At John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove in Audubon, the outdoors is brought in. On Dec. 7, the museum's halls will be festooned with natural decorations. Music, seasonal treats, a scavenger hunt and a John James Audubon impersonator will be featured.

Natural materials are also the focus at Morris Arboretum's special Holiday Garden Railway Display, which opens on Nov. 28. Bark, twigs, hollow logs, moss, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones form a miniature landscape with buildings, loops, tunnels and even rivers. The quarter-mile track, with 15 different rail lines, two cable cars, nine bridges and bustling G-scale model trains is set in the lovely winter garden of the arboretum. Children and adults can even make ornaments to take home.

For more information about celebrating the holiday season in the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County for a day, an overnight or a great weekend getaway, visit www.valleyforge.org.

Courtesy of Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau

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