The last remaining leaves on the Southwest Virginia trees fought desperately in a battle against the changing seasons, finally succumbing to the cold and wind in an ageless cycle of repose and eventual rebirth.
Folks at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park would like tooffer you a unique opportunity to escape the harshness of the changing seasons with a warm, inviting, array of greenery, lights, and one-of-a-kind displays called:
The Festival of Trees
Trees fill the Museum for the 19th Annual Festival of Trees
In its 19th season, the Festival of Trees is an incredible feat of community creativity and involvement that leaves all four floors of the stately Victorian home that houses the museum’s collections lavishly decorated for the holiday season. Volunteers from area businesses, schools, civic organizations, churches, and families have created 81 displays this year, filling the museum with twinkling lights and holiday spirit.
Pepsi is just one of the local companies that have a tree on display
The tradition of the C. Bascom Slemp, the driving force behind the establishment of the museum, played in establishing the American tradition of a “national Christmas tree.”
Mr. 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.
These beautiful trees come in all shapes, sizes and colors
Visitors can tour the Festival of Trees until December 31 during regular museum hours and during special “night viewings” from 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on December 20, and 27. Admission to the museum is $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for children ages 6-12, and free of charge for children under 6. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.
For more information, please call the Click here for a Google Map.
May your holidays be bright!