“Join in on the Spirit of Holiday Traditions” Auburn: History’s Hometown Free Holiday Celebration December 12, 2010
Holiday Traditions is an event that was created by the Seward House over 33 years ago as a token of appreciation to the Auburn community. Since that time, other local cultural attractions and sites have opened their doors for free the second Sunday in December for residents to enjoy during the holidays. Now, the “open house” is a tradition, and again this year, participation has expanded to include churches and other organizations.
Auburn’s Historic & Cultural Sites Commission
To ensure communication between the many Holiday Traditions’ partners, the City of Auburn’s Historic & Cultural Sites Commission coordinates publicity and advertising for this event. The Commission site members include Auburn Public Theater, Auburn Schine’s Theater, Cayuga Museum & Case Research Lab, Harriet Tubman Home, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Seward House Museum and Willard Memorial Chapel.
The Cayuga Museum
203 Genesee Street
(315) 253-8051
http://cayuganet.org/cayugamuseum/
Open from Noon to 5PM – come tour the Cayuga Museum beautifully decorated for the holidays. On display will be “Visions Past: Paintings from the Collection of the Cayuga Museum.” The exhibit will include portraits and landscapes by local artists including: Edward Gohl, George Clough, Charles Petersen and Frank Barney. The selected works give insight into the social and physical landscape of Cayuga County during the turn of the 20th century. This exhibit opens November 20th and will be up through December 31st. At 2PM, enjoy a special performance by the Roosevelt Memorial Baptist Choir.
The Harriet Tubman Home
180 South Street
(315) 252-2081
http://www.harriethouse.org/
Although only open by appointment this time of year, the Harriet Tubman Home will be open from Noon – 5PM. Please call the Home directly for details on that day’s program.
Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center
205 Genesee Street
(315) 255-1553
http://www.schweinfurthartcenter.org/
Open from Noon – 5PM, come tour the 30th annual juried quilts exhibit Quilts=Art=Quilts, on display through January 9, 2011. The exhibit features 95 quilts by 81 artists from all over the world. This year’s jurors, Jeannee Beck, Elizabeth Busch & Erin Wilson, reviewed 358 entries by 207 artists and selected quilts for their overall visual impact, design and originality.
Enjoy a quilt trunk show by Priscilla Kibee, which starts at 2PM. Priscilla loves to travel shopping for textiles to add to her wearable art collection. She has taught quilting to school children in Nepal, taught Seminole patchwork to seamstresses in Thailand, and jackets and embellishment to quilters in Turkey. She’s created garments for five Fairfield and Bernina Fashion Shows and teaches classes on embellishment and wearable art.
Seward House Museum
33 South Street
(315) 252-1283
http://www.sewardhouse.org/
Area florists have adopted the Seward House this year to provide an array of holiday decorations. Visitors will be welcomed from Noon – 5PM and admission is free. Live musical performances throughout the day will add to the holiday splendor.
St. Francis of Assisi Church
303 Clark Street
(315) 252-7593
http://www.catholic-church.org/stfrancis-auburn/
The Church will be open from 3 – 5:15PM. The Auburn Chamber Orchestra will perform from 4 – 5:15PM, coffee hour to follow.
St. Mary’s
17 Clark Street
(315) 252-6343
http://www.stmaryauburn.org/
St. Mary’s will host their open house from 1:30 – 5PM. Enjoy a concert by the Finger Lakes Camerata, singers from CCC, who will perform at 3PM. The gift shop will be open, and refreshments will be served.
Ward O’Hara Agricultural Museum
Route 38A
(315) 252-5009
http://cayuganet.org/agmuseum/
Celebrate the holidays during the 1800s from Noon – 4PM. Tour the museum and take part in trimming the tree. Enjoy horse drawn-wagon rides, Christmas cookie decorating and holiday musical presentations.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
17 William Street
(315) 253-3331
http://www.westminsterauburn.org/
From Noon – 5PM, visitors can view a display of hand-sewn Advent banners that tell the Christmas story in needlework, and tour the historic church. Children’s activities from Noon – 2PM include decorating a Christmas ornament and a Christmas storytelling program at 1PM. The MasterWorks Chorale will perform selections from its holiday concert at 2PM in the sanctuary.
Willard Memorial Chapel
17 Nelson Street
(315) 252-0339
http://www.willardchapel.org/
The Chapel will be offering guided tours from Noon – 5PM. Children can read with Santa, sponsored by the Literacy Volunteers, at Noon and at 3PM. The Literacy Volunteers will also offer a Holiday Book Sale. Enjoy listening to the Herman Ave. Elementary School Chorus winter Concert – performance at 1:30PM.
For more information about Holiday Traditions, call the Cayuga County Office of Tourism at 255-1658. If you have questions regarding a specific venue, please phone them directly.
