DOVER — Tours of the governor’s mansion and presentations of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” are just a few of the events on tap Saturday in Dover.
The First State Heritage Park — a “park without boundaries” consisting of several historic sites — hosts special events on the first Saturday of every month. To mark the December holiday the capital city will see attractions related to Christmas this week.
The program begins at 9 a.m., with special events at the Biggs Museum. Children will have a chance to decorate gift bags, pop-up cards and ornaments.
Handmade items from local artists will be on display for purchase.
Potpourri Club members from left, Nancy Kimbro, Denise Blades and Jan Hobbs place ornaments on a Christmas tree at Woodburn, the governor’s house. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)
A children’s choir will sing at 10, 11, 1, and 2, and a musical performance will take place from 4-6 p.m.
The museum, which will be open until 6, will have free admission.
Free tours of the Johnson Victrola Museum, Legislative Hall and the Old State House will also take place throughout the day. Visitors to the Johnson Victrola Museum can listen to holiday music on Victor Talking Machines, while the other two sites will allow interested parties to learn about Delaware’s history and see where laws are made.
Potpourri Club president, Cheryl Walls decorates at Woodburn. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)
Fans of history and ghost stories will have a chance to take a tour of The Green with historic re-enactors and enjoy a traditional Victorian Christmas, complete with scary stories. Tours leave from the John Bell House, where the storytelling will be held. Both will take place from 10 to 3.
The governor’s house of Woodburn will be open from 10 to 1, and Gov. Jack Markell will greet visitors. The house is being decorated by volunteers from the Potpourri Garden Club, with a Christmas tree and menorah among the centerpieces.
At 1, visitors can stop by the Old State House to learn about holiday traditions in the 1700s, with another presentation on Christmas in the Victorian Era in the late 1800s at 1:30 at the Kent County Courthouse.
The Ballet Theater of Dover will present “The Nutcracker” at the Schwartz Center for the Arts at 2 and 7, giving theater lovers a chance to see a performance of the famous ballet.