Shriver House Museum
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

You are cordially invited to take a candlelight tour of the Shriver House Museum decorated for an 1860s Christmas, while hearing the story of the Shriver family and how the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War changed their lives forever.

Take a step back in time to discover how Christmas was celebrated in the mid-1800s. Enter the 19th century home of George, Hettie, Sadie (7), and Mollie (5) Shriver as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas holidays. See the candle-laden Christmas tree in its place of honor on the parlor table as a fire roars in the fireplace of the handsome room decorated with hand-made holiday greenery. After hanging stockings on the mantle, the girls set out milk and cookies in anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus on that magical night. While soldiers faced the perils of the Civil War, Christmas offered a few moments of cheer that would help brighten the lives of those at home. Learn how families celebrated the holidays while fathers, sons, and husbands were separated from loved ones during this tragic time in American history.

Candlelight Christmas tours will begin on Thanksgiving evening, November 24th and continue Saturday evenings through December 17, 2011. For additional information on the Shriver House Museum or to make reservations for a Christmas tour, please call 717-337-2800.

Private tours for groups of ten or more are welcome anytime throughout the holiday season; reservations are required .