BIG STONE GAP - The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is pleased to present the 30th Annual Festival of Trees for the holiday season.
The Festival of Trees opens Sunday, Nov. 9, through Wednesday, Dec. 31. All four floors of the stately Victorian home that houses the museum’s collections will be decorated with a variety of trees provided by churches, community organizations, businesses and families for the holiday season.
The festival’s tradition began to celebrate the holiday traditions of the Victorian era as well as to honor the role that C. Bascom Slemp—the driving force behind the establishment of the museum—played in establishing the American tradition of a “national Christmas tree.”
Slemp served as the personal secretary to President Calvin Coolidge. In 1923, a group from the Electrical League and the Washington, D.C., public schools approached him with an idea for a Christmas tree to be erected on the White House lawn. Mr. Slemp took the idea to the First Lady, Grace Coolidge, who took up the cause. She recommended that the tree be placed on the ellipse south of the White House, and a tradition was born.
Volunteers from the Southwest Virginia region continue these traditions by decorating holiday trees, mantels, doorways and banisters throughout the Museum, sharing their creative talents and holiday spirit with all who visit the site. More than 80 groups contributed their time and talent to create truly beautiful displays.
Visitors may tour the Festival of Trees from Nov. 9 through Dec. 31, during regular museum hours and during special night viewings.
Night viewings are scheduled from 5 - 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 29 and Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, On Friday, Nov. 28, the park will offer free admission with a donation of one canned food item per person. This is for one night only.
Regular admission rates apply for the Festival of Trees: adults - $5, children 6-12 - $3, and children under 6 are free. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.
For more information about the Festival of Trees, please contact the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at (276) 523-1322.