The city of Auburn and the surrounding area have plenty to offer in terms of historic and cultural sites throughout the year. But there is only one time when anyone can see most of those sites free of charge.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
On the cover: Auburn's many cultural attractions open their doors during Holiday Traditions.
On the cover: Auburn's many cultural attractions open their doors during Holiday Traditions.
This Sunday, local museums and churches will open their doors for an annual Holiday Tradition. Every year before Christmas, iconic locations like the Seward House, Harriet Tubman Home and the Ward W. O'Hara Agricultural Museum don special decorations and host seasonal activities for the public.
Families will be able to hear music, participate in crafts, take tours and view art exhibits - with no entrance fee at any location.
The event is now sponsored and organized by the Auburn Historical and Cultural Sites Commission. But the tradition dates back more than three decades, said Paul McDonald of the Seward House.
The Seward museum first held free tours before Christmas in 1977, when the curator at the time thought it would be a good idea, he said.
“At the first one, we didn't expect a lot of people,” McDonald said. “But I think more than 600 people came. It was a big success immediately.”
Eventually, some of the city's other museums joined the effort, and churches have recently come aboard with venue space for musical acts.
This year, nine locations will participate in the event. Historic homes will be decorated with Victorian-era holiday frills. Museums will offer free tours. Choral and chamber groups will fill churches and chapels with music.
Jesse Kline, administrator for the Historical and Cultural Sites Commission, said that the coordinated event has become a seasonal tradition for many local familles.
“It's almost nostalgic. It's all about getting into the spirit of the holidays,” Kline said.
But with all the locations and the timing of the events, it can also be a challenge to experience all there is to see and hear, she continued. It might be a good idea to pick a few highlights you want to see, as opposed to visiting every location in one day, Kline said.
“You kind of have to strike your course and stick to it,” she said.
According to McDonald, organizers never really planned for the citywide tradition to turn into what it is today, with so many historic sites and churches participating. But then again, it was so successful early on that the expansion was welcomed, he said.
“It really is a great day for the entire community,” McDonald said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Holiday Traditions
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Visit www.tourauburnny.com
This year's traditions
€ Cayuga Museum, 203 Genesee St., exhibits work by two area quilters
€ Harriet Tubman Home, 180 South St., hosts an open house
€ Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, 205 Genesee St., hosts music by Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn
€ Seward House, 33 South St., features decorations and vocal music
€ Ward O'Hara Agricultural Museum, Route 38A, celebrates Christmas in the 1800s until 4 p.m.
€ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., hosts a book signing by Kevin Rivoli until 4 p.m.
€ Willard Memorial Chapel, 17 Nelson St., presents organ music by Donna Riester at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
€ St. Mary's Church, 15 Clark St., hosts a performance by Madrigalia at 3:30 p.m.
€ St. Francis of Assisi Church, 303 Clark St., hosts a concert by the Auburn Chamber Orchestra at 4 p.m.
Families will be able to hear music, participate in crafts, take tours and view art exhibits - with no entrance fee at any location.
The event is now sponsored and organized by the Auburn Historical and Cultural Sites Commission. But the tradition dates back more than three decades, said Paul McDonald of the Seward House.
The Seward museum first held free tours before Christmas in 1977, when the curator at the time thought it would be a good idea, he said.
“At the first one, we didn't expect a lot of people,” McDonald said. “But I think more than 600 people came. It was a big success immediately.”
Eventually, some of the city's other museums joined the effort, and churches have recently come aboard with venue space for musical acts.
This year, nine locations will participate in the event. Historic homes will be decorated with Victorian-era holiday frills. Museums will offer free tours. Choral and chamber groups will fill churches and chapels with music.
Jesse Kline, administrator for the Historical and Cultural Sites Commission, said that the coordinated event has become a seasonal tradition for many local familles.
“It's almost nostalgic. It's all about getting into the spirit of the holidays,” Kline said.
But with all the locations and the timing of the events, it can also be a challenge to experience all there is to see and hear, she continued. It might be a good idea to pick a few highlights you want to see, as opposed to visiting every location in one day, Kline said.
“You kind of have to strike your course and stick to it,” she said.
According to McDonald, organizers never really planned for the citywide tradition to turn into what it is today, with so many historic sites and churches participating. But then again, it was so successful early on that the expansion was welcomed, he said.
“It really is a great day for the entire community,” McDonald said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Holiday Traditions
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: Visit www.tourauburnny.com
This year's traditions
€ Cayuga Museum, 203 Genesee St., exhibits work by two area quilters
€ Harriet Tubman Home, 180 South St., hosts an open house
€ Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, 205 Genesee St., hosts music by Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn
€ Seward House, 33 South St., features decorations and vocal music
€ Ward O'Hara Agricultural Museum, Route 38A, celebrates Christmas in the 1800s until 4 p.m.
€ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., hosts a book signing by Kevin Rivoli until 4 p.m.
€ Willard Memorial Chapel, 17 Nelson St., presents organ music by Donna Riester at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
€ St. Mary's Church, 15 Clark St., hosts a performance by Madrigalia at 3:30 p.m.
€ St. Francis of Assisi Church, 303 Clark St., hosts a concert by the Auburn Chamber Orchestra at 4 p.m.
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