Society readies holiday celebration

The Lake County Historical Society’s holiday celebration will open at the end of November.

“Home for the Holidays,” the Lake County Historical Society’s holiday celebration, will open at the end of November at the Lake County History Center, 415 Riverside Drive in Painesville Township.

The 30,000-square-foot former County Home, dating from 1878, now serves the community as the county history museum, but during December all three wings, reception and the party space, Heritage Hall, are decked in lavish Victorian decorations to match the style of the building, according to a news release.

This event, featuring over 40 trees, has been called the most lavish holiday décor in Lake County, the news release stated. It takes a team of nearly two dozen volunteers, led by coordinator Marian Redmond of Concord Township, and her event partner Sandy Nelson of Mentor to put all the décor together.

Groups of 10 or more are invited to book an early peek at everything on Nov. 29. This is set aside as a special group day that includes a special arrival time for the group, an escorted tour and special music box show, a catered group lunch and a chance to shop or revisit areas until 3 p.m.

The group tour price is $15 per person and is only available by advanced reservation by calling the Lake County History Center at 440-639-2945.

Regular hours will be Nov. 30 to Dec.2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 and parking is free. The entire site is accessible to those with special needs, including the new elevator that will carry guests from the parking lot, directly to the first floor holiday space.

For directions or more information, call 440-6392945 Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information and directions are also available at www.lakehistory.org or by visiting the Lake County History Center on Facebook.

One entire wing is dedicated to Lake County and its experience with 19th century medicine including all the quackery and personalities involved in the county’s early answers to good health. Another wing brings guests to the larger galleries displaying everything from a Victorian dinner table with its over-the-top amount of silver and plating to the Garfield Gallery with items not often shared about this early president from Lake County.

This gallery, and its neighbor, also house the Magical Musical Machines. The music boxes will be displayed and played during Home for the Holidays.

Visitors will find the hand crafters displaying their wares in various areas of the main floor, and there will be the “Fabulous Food Emporium” with LCHS volunteers turning out their holiday specialties with each offering wrapped in beautiful packaging for gift giving.