Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Old Washington Celebrating Christmas

If you would like to experience a 19th century Arkansas Christmas, then make plans to attend the 9th annual Christmas and Candlelight celebration on December 2 at Old Washington Historic State Park.

Located about nine miles north of Hope on Arkansas Highway 4 off Interstate 30, the park preserves several structures dating to the early 1840s when the town of Washington was a bustling frontier outpost on the Southwest Trail.

From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. as part of the Christmas and candlelight program, many of these restored structures will be festive with old-fashioned holiday decorations made with such items as pine cones and magnolia, pine and cedar branches. Wreaths using grapevines, sumac, pine cones and other natural items will also adorn many of the buildings, which will be open for touring.

In addition a luminaria display featuring more than 2,000 cnadles will line the streets and pathways of Old Washington during the tour. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives (SARA) and the park.

"There is no doubt that Christmas and Candlelight is one of the biggest events we have at the park," says Carey Walker, park superintendent. "With the luminaria display and the houses decorated with the natural decorations, it is truly a beautiful sight."

Visitors are given maps to guide them to the homes and buildings on the tour. Interpreters dressed in period clothing will be stationed at some of the stops to explain the colorful history of the town and its structures. The homes on the tour have been restored and are furnished with peiod pieces.

Some of the buildings that will be decorated and included on the Christmas and Candlelight tour this year are: The Sanders house, an L-shaped Greek Revival home built around 1845 by Simon T. Sanders, who was the county clerk from 1839-1869; the Grandison D. Royston house, another Greek Revival home built in 1845 by Royston, a wealthy planter and lawyer; and the 1874 Courthouse, which houses the park's visitor center, a gift shop and a Christmas room with handcrafted Christmas decorations for sale.

Also on the tour are the Printing Museum, which features exhibits demonstrating how printing evolved during the 19th century; the Tavern Inn, a re-created 19th-century inn; the Bladesmithing School, which continues the tradition of knifemaking begun by the blacksmith James Black, who is believed to have created the famous Bowie knife; and the Trimble house, which dates to 1847 and is owned by the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation, an organization created in 1958 to lead the preservation movement here.

Strolling carolers will add to festive atmosphere and handbell choirs and singers will perform at the town's three churches. A choir will also perform on the porch of the black history museum operated by the Ethnic Minority Memorabilla Association.

At the Tavern Inn kitchen, demonstrations of weaving and spinning will be presented. Beans and cornbread cooked over an open fireplace will be served, along with spice cookies and cider. In addition old-fashioned cooking methods will be presented at the Clardy Kitchen, a detached kitchen dating to the 1800s.

Visitors can also enjoy a Christmas dinner at the Williams Tavern restaurant, an authentic tavern built in 1832 that will be decorated for the holidays.

Advance tickets for the tour are $9 for adults and $4 for students. Children under age 12 are free. These tickest can be obtained by calling SARA at 501-983-2366. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults, $5 for students and children under age 12 are free. Proceeds from the event will go to SARA and the park.

For more information contact the park at 501-983-2684.