Beaches Museum presents ‘Holidays in the Village’

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The Beaches Museum welcomed about 200 visitors Thursday, Dec. 17, for its “Holidays in the Village” celebration. The specially configured event held in the adjacent park gave area residents some much-needed relief from the cares of the outside world.

Amid ongoing coronavirus concerns, the museum had to think of new ways to continue its holiday tradition.

“We took two events that we normally do over the holidays – our Beaches North Pole Express and our ‘Holidays in the Village’ – and we combined them into one,” explained museum Executive Director Chris Hoffman.

Merrymakers wanting to attend the ticketed event signed up for specific time slots so that no more than 50 guests would be in the park at a given time. In addition, face masks were required and social distancing was maintained.

For those attending, these were small concessions. There was plenty to see in the historic park, and the spirit of the season was evident all around.

Entertainment was provided by the Rhythm Theory Tap Ensemble and a three-member band called Senior Moments, which performed railroad songs and holiday favorites.

The museum’s 1911 Train Engine was transformed into the North Pole Express, where “conductor” John Milio and “engineer” Keith Baker chatted with guests. Children took turns ringing the train’s bell.

Santa and his elf, Sprinkles McFlurry, welcomed children from the porch of the East Coast Railway Foremen’s House. Though these visits were socially distanced, the children were excited to speak with the North Pole visitors.

One of the highlights was a living history re-enactment on the porch of the Oesterreicher-McCormick Cabin, which dates back to 1873. A family dressed in period garb demonstrated how people would have decorated their Christmas trees more than a century ago.

Both the cabin and the foreman’s house were decorated by the museum’s Master Gardener group.

Finally, the decorated Chapel provided a good background for photos.

“Holidays in the Village” was the museum’s sole event in December and only the second event since COVID-19 forced a curtailment of public activities. In November, the museum held a tour of the H. Warren Smith Cemetery.

Hoffman said people have been very understanding of the measures the museum has had to take to keep visitors safe.

“We’re just really proud of our community for continuing to come out to support and enjoy the museum, understanding the new realities of the way we must do things,” she said.