Colonial Christmas Attracts Record Numbers

COLONIAL CHRISTMAS ATTRACTS RECORD NUMBER
OF VISITORS WITH NEW PERMANENT EXHIBITS
AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Bedminster, NJ, December 14, 2010 –

Holiday cheer came early for Bedminster’s historic Jacobus Vanderveer House as another successful Colonial Christmas came to a close.  The eighth annual show house and tour, held December 1-5, attracted more than 1,500 visitors, including repeat attendees, newcomers and area schoolchildren.

“This was another banner year for Colonial Christmas,” reported Jeanne Galbraith, Colonial Christmas Co-Chair and member of the Friends of Jacobus Vanderveer House Board of Trustees, “thanks to expanded news coverage, the unveiling of our permanent exhibits and our educational program with George Washington.  Next year, we will consider additional educational days to accommodate more school groups.”

Since 2002, Bedminster’s historic Jacobus Vanderveer House, located at Routes 202/206, has opened its wreath-clad doors to an annual Colonial Christmas show house and tour. The five-day fundraising event features the decorating talents of New Jersey’s most celebrated interior designers, antiques dealers and florists, who transform the rooms with fine period furniture, English boxwood swags, trees decorated with lush fruits and natural elements, and beautiful wreaths and garlands in celebration of the holiday season. 

Private Ray Sanderson and Colonel Matt Koppinger from Lambs Artillery greet school visitors. His Excellency, General Washington greets guests at the 2010 Colonial Christmas celebration	Lucy Knox, wife to General Henry Knox sleeps quietly in her completed Knox bedroom. Lady Ellen Ruck Colonial display at Colonial Christmas See more images on the Vanderveer Knox Facebook Page (or post your own!) - Click Here

This year’s event featured the unveiling of two permanent exhibits:  The Vanderveer Parlor and The Knox Bedroom, which have been decorated in period antiques and furnishings.  On Thursday, December 2, approximately 300 children from several area schools attended an interactive educational program, “A Discussion with George Washington” and house tour, featuring a 25-minute discussion with George Washington on the Middlebrook Encampment, Pluckemin Artillary Park and his relationship with General Henry Knox who once lived in The Jacobus Vanderveer House. 

On Wednesday, December 1, more than 180 guests attended a preview luncheon, “Thomas Jefferson Uncorked: A Colonial Food and Wine Pairing,” at Trump National Golf Club.  The luncheon, sponsored by Investors Savings Bank and hosted by Chris Cree of 56 Degree Wine and special guest Christopher Forbes, Vice Chairman of Forbes, Inc., featured a “Fab Five” luxury raffle of items from Di Modolo, Judith Ripka, Saks Fifth Avenue, Constance McCardle and Tiffany; boutique shopping; and live and silent auctions. 

Proceeds from Colonial Christmas help fund interactive exhibits and the purchase of period furnishings for the Jacobus Vanderveer House, which is being restored and developed as an educational community resource and museum.

Did you see the Colonial Christmas color insert in local Recorder Newspapers.
Download Now

Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris Counties

Submitted: January 15, 2011