This holiday season, visitors are invited to join in the many festive traditions going on throughout the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites system, including the three historic sites in southwest Indiana: Angel Mounds, New Harmony and Vincennes.
The holiday happenings begin at the Vincennes State Historic Sites. From 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, visitors can experience Indiana’s territorial capital all decked out for the holidays during the free Christmas Candlelight Tour. Costumed interpreters will guide guests around the buildings and share stories of holiday traditions through the years in Vincennes and beyond.
A visitor favorite will return to Vincennes this year as the Christmas Tavern Dinner will take place from 6-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. Taverns were the social centers of life during the 1800s, with lively conversations, dancing, games and even debates all a part of the tavern experience. For this event, adult guests can take a step back in time as the Jefferson Academy will be transformed for an immersive experience complete with food, drinks and music, costumed characters and a short presentation on the history of taverns in the area. Alcohol will be served at this event, and all attendees must be 21 and older. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple.
The beauty and magic of the season continue at the New Harmony State Historic Site where visitors can experience Christmas in New Harmony from Dec. 5-7. During this beloved, annual event, the town will transform into a winter wonderland, featuring carriage rides, visits with Santa, hands-on activities for children, music and entertainment, a parade and more. Among the many events around New Harmony, Thrall’s Opera House will host live performances throughout the weekend, including: on Dec. 6, the Signature School Singers’ Christmas Sing Along at noon, the Children’s Center for Dance Education’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” at 3 p.m. and Wolfgang Jazz Band’s Christmas Concert at 7 p.m.; on Dec. 7, “A Cold December Night” concert by the New Harmony Community Choir at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. Plus, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7 (CST), holiday shoppers can visit Community House No. 2 to browse a wide selection of arts and crafts vendors offering jewelry, home goods, toys and many other gift items.
Also, from 1-2:30 p.m. (CST) Dec. 13 at Community House No. 2, visitors can explore historic holiday traditions during Yuletide Remembered: A History of Christmas Traditions. As guests enjoy a cup of hot cider and decorate gingerbread cookies, they will discover the origins of popular symbols like Christmas trees, stockings and the Christmas pickle. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children.
The wintertime merriment concludes at the Angel Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville. Visitors of all ages can get creative and make handmade holiday gifts during two do-it-yourself crafting events, Nifty Gifties for children ages 4-12 and Cocoa and Crafting for guests ages 13 and up. Tickets are $10.
Visitors can also celebrate the start of the winter season and enjoy breathtaking sunset views during the Winter Solstice Alignment Event, happening from 3:45-5:30 p.m. CST on Dec. 19 and 20. The centuries-old site, which was home to people of the Mississippian culture from 1100-1450 A.D., was purposefully built to align with the solstices. As the sun sets these evenings, visitors can experience the complex alignments of the mounds and get a rare glimpse at the relationship between this Mississippian culture and the cosmos. Guests can also explore the interpretive center to learn about the people who lived at Angel Mounds and how they used their extensive knowledge of the sun and moon to predict the shortest day of the year. This event is included with site admission.
Advance registration is required for most holiday happenings at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, and members will receive a 25% discount. Visit IndianaMuseum.org to purchase tickets and find more information about all Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites locations.