Christmas celebration at Washburn-Norlands Living History Center

LIVERMORE - The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore will open for an interactive Christmas celebration that will take you back in time. "Christmas at Norlands: Snowflakes" will be held on Saturday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy 19th century parlor games, storytelling and holiday readings from the past, children's hands-on activities in the cozy Norlands kitchen and the simply decorated Washburn mansion.

Activity or music will be found in every room. Join in with the carolers around the antique piano or enjoy a sweet treat and mulled cider in the kitchen. You can wander into the gentleman's parlor, where Washburn descendant and family historian Kerck Kelsey will be reading and telling stories about what life was like for the Washburn children who grew up in the 1800s in Livermore. Enjoy antique toys, walking trails to the tall pines, jingle bell wagon rides and paper-cutting activity for children and adults. The new Farmers Cottage at the museum will also be open for tours.

The event has been organized by a group of dedicated Norlands volunteers who have been studying Livermore history and the lifestyles of people in the late 1800's. The historical interpreters also present Norlands living history programs for Maine schoolchildren throughout the year. The schoolmarm will open the one-room schoolhouse during the Christmas at Norlands celebration and invites you to an old-time spelling bee, so put on your thinking caps.

For more information about the event at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, 290 Norlands Road in Livermore,  please call 897-4366 or visit www.norlands.org. $8 Admission will benefit the nonprofit museum-$8 for adults, $4 for children under 12  and free for the wee ones under six years old.