It may not bring back memories of “a chicken in every pot,” but the opportunity to be dazzled by the opulence and grandeur of the Vanderbilt Mansion, fully decked out as it might have been in Christmases past, is an awesome one. The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site holds “A Gilded Age Christmas” open house on Friday, December 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Used primarily as a spring and autumn retreat for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt and their guests, the residence was not often decorated with literally dozens of trees and luminaries, as it will be this year. The impeccable artistry and architecture of this site is already stunning beyond belief for most folks. For one night, visitors can use their imaginations to indulge in the fantasylike life of the once-prominent and influential family. Live music and complimentary refreshments will set the stage for a winter house party worthy of the Vanderbilts themselves.
There will be no admission fee for this event, but the Vanderbilt Pavilion Shop will be open, providing a fascinating and historical selection of books and gifts to holiday shoppers. One need only wonder which gown to wear…
Meanwhile, Historic Hyde Park presents a free and equal opportunity for young and old to experience the holiday traditions of our nation’s beloved Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt family. As the sun sets on December 9, the Presidential Library and Museum will hold a tree-lighting celebration, replete with refreshments and carol-singing, to kick off an evening of old-fashioned fun. Open house will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at both the Home of FDR National Historic Site and the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site at Val-Kill, with free shuttle bus service taking visitors back and forth, courtesy of the National Park Service.
According to National Park Service representative Franceska Macsali-Urbin, Christmas was a special time for the Roosevelts: a time they particularly loved, like most American families, to spend with their children. Each year brought the traditional reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and this year will be no exception. FDR impersonator Preston Gifford, Jr., will be on hand in President Roosevelt’s home to hold forth in convincing voice and mannerism. Macsali- Urbin, a historian with particular interest in the 20th century and a prodigious expertise in all things Roosevelt, has worked as a National Park guide for 20 years and takes great pleasure in leading of visitors through these sites during the holidays.
As counterpoint to the magnificent extravagance of the Vanderbilt Mansion, both the Presidential Library and the Home of FDR Site will be decorated as they were in the midst of World War II, during the 1943 holiday season. At Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill, the only place that she truly considered “home” and from which she wrote her My Day column and worked on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, visitors will be welcomed by refreshments and live music.
Earlier on Saturday, December 9 from 1 to 6 p.m., Teaching the Hudson Valley is partnering with the FDR Presidential Library and Museum and the National Park Service to host a “Children’s Book Festival” in the Wallace Center. Four Hudson Valley children’s book authors will share their work: Don Estes will read Willy: The Little Jeep Who Wanted to Be a Fire Truck; Della Ross Ferrer will read How Will I Ever Sleep in This Bed?; Thomas Locker will read from Hudson: A Story of a River; and River Wild: An Activity Guide to North American Rivers will be read by Nancy Castaldo. A special appearance by Fala, FDR’s famous terrier, caps off the afternoon with a reading from The True Story of Fala by Margaret Suckley and Alice Dalgleish.
Musical performances will intersperse these readings, offered by guitarist Rich Bala, Wayne Fugate and Kevin Ege of the Right Hands, fi fth-grade musicians from Netherwood and Violet Avenue Elementary Schools and the Haviland Middle School Chamber Orchestra. And lest any one wander around aimlessly, kids can choose to have their pictures taken with – whom else? – Santa Claus from 1 to 4 p.m., at no charge to already overtaxed parents. Also, from 1 to 6 p.m., children and their parents can get crafty together and make holiday cards to send to the men and women serving on the USS Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, a US Navy missile destroyer – and, of course, enjoy more refreshments!
On December 9, the Presidential Library will remain open for extended hours until 9 p.m., where the New Deal Store offers a delightful array of items including books, children’s toys, apparel and White House china for that memorable gift or souvenir.
For a truly all-American experience that will live in your hearts and minds for years to come, spend the day immersed in the memory of the Roosevelts. More details about any of these impressive, uniquely educational “Holiday Open House” events can be learned by contacting Cliff Laube at the FDR Presidential Library at (845) 486-7745 or Franceska Macsali-Urbin with the National Park Service at (845) 229-6214. For further information about each of the participating organizations, see www.TeachingtheHudsonValley.org, www.HistoricHydePark.org, www.nps.gov/elro or www.fdrlibrary.marist. edu.