A Vintage Christmas at the Banning and Homestead Museums
It’s no secret I love a good historic home and when that home is all decked out for Christmas it’s extra special. Two of my favorite local museums are The Banning Museum in Wilmington and the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in the City of Industry and both recently held Christmas fairs. Of course, I had to attend.
On a recent Saturday Shannon and I headed to The Banning Museum for their annual Victorian Christmas. This free celebration features an array of period activities and and tours of the house all decked out for the holidays. When I visited the museum last year with my mom we were the only two on the tour. Not this time! The grounds were humming with activity and it was a joyful celebration.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside the house so you’ll just have to believe me when I say it was absolutely beautiful. There were decorations everywhere and the most beautiful Christmas tree filled with old-fashioned ornaments. Every room was decked out and as we walked around I was reminded of how much I love this historic spot. It really is like no other home in the area and is beautifully preserved.
Another wonderfully preserved area is the carriage house and, luckily, I was able to take a few photos of it’s festive decorations.
The Victorian Christmas at the Banning Museum was a wonderful celebration and it was lovely to see so many locals enjoying the historic grounds.
The following week, Shannon, my mom and I headed to the Homestead Museum for their celebration.
The highlight of the museum is La Casa Nueva, a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival structure completed in 1927. Every time I visit the museum I have to go inside and it’s always such a treat. This time it was filled with holiday decorations and was so beautiful.
As an added bonus there was a man playing Christmas carols on the family piano and it was very moving to hear the the traditional songs in the historic setting.
Both The Banning and Homestead Museum are wonderful places to visit any time of the year but at the holidays they’re extra special. I’m so happy I finally visited them at Christmastime.