Trees, trains focus of Reeves Christmas decor
Trains and trees — more than 90 Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes to be exact — will be on display at the J.E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum this holiday season.
"We have all different interpretations of trees this year," said Matt Lautzenheiser, director of the Dover Historical Society. "We have trees ranging from small
ceramic and crocheted trees to the 12- to 14-foot tree in the ballroom."
Among the more unique trees are a Victorian tabletop Christmas tree and several Moravian Trau wooden Christmas trees decorated with painted red Moravian stars and the small beeswax candles, "These trees were loaned to us for the Christmas season," said Lautzenheiser.
Also on loan are crocheted trees made by Virginia Cassady of Dover.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"We also have two of the classic 1950s aluminum trees," said Lautzenheiser. "One of them even has the original color wheel that went with them."
Lautzenheiser said the idea this year was to show a variety of trees and how families in Tuscarawas County have developed their own traditions. "People tend to do that at Christmas," said Lautzenheiser.
All of the trains on display are from a private collection. Sixteen different model trains will be featured, seven of which will be running around the base of Christmas trees.
"The majority of the trains are from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s," said Lautzenheiser. "The golden era of model trains extended into the 1950s, and one of the highlights is a 1958 Lionel girl's train with all of the cars done in pastel colors."
Lautzenheiser said another one of the trains on display is a Lionel passenger train, which retailed for $80 when it was sold in 1926.
The Reeves Home will be decorated and open for tours from 1 to 7 p.m. through Dec. 22. Walk-through tours are available now through Nov. 21. These tours are led by volunteers but contain no information on the history of the home or Reeves family.
Personally guided tours will begin Nov. 23. These tours are led by a member of the tour guide staff who will provide information about the home and anecdotes about the Reeves family.
Admission for both the guided and walk-through tours is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $3 for children ages 3 to 17.
This year, Wednesdays have been designated as "senior citizen days," with admission for anyone age 60 or older $4.
This year's annual Christmas Open House will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov.. 30. The open house will feature refreshments, musical entertainment in the ballroom and a visit by Santa. Walk-through tours of the Reeves Home will be available for $5. Children are free. There is no charge for the Carriage House or
Santa.
When: Opens Saturday and continues through Nov. 24.
Where: Warther Carvings at 331 Karl Ave., Dover.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except Nov. 24 when the festival will close at 5 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person.