Holiday Open House, Manheim, PA

A quick jaunt to the Mount Hope Estate & Winery in Manheim, PA was on the agenda to visit their Holiday Open House. This free event included a variety of activities, an opportunity to explore the festively decorated Victorian mansion (built between 1800 - 1805), marvel at the ornate decorations, enjoy the Holiday Open House Carolers, and shop the merchant marketplace. We did a little bit of it all.

 The mansion is decorated with twelve opulent Christmas trees, some reaching the ceiling. Garlands of pearls, silk roses, feathered birds and more adorn the assorted festive trees. The elegance of the Victorian era is represented in the many rooms in the mansion from the ballroom to the morning parlor to the library.

The carolers presented a holiday program in the Chapel. They harmonized through a variety of Christmas carols, bantered jovially among each other, and played parlor games with the audience. It added an air of festivity to the day.  There is a Merchant Marketplace with a variety of hand crafted wares by local artisans. We found a few little treasures there. Father Christmas is available for photos also.

If you are in the area, the Holiday Open House is this weekend also, December 2 - 3.