An Old English Christmas of Washington Irving

Interpreting classic literature for holiday exhibits has been a tradition at The Historic Houses of Odessa for over a quarter of a century. The English-Georgian style Wilson Warner House (c. 1769) was transformed into the storied English countryside home, Bracebridge Hall, in 2012. The quaint exhibit was inspired by the story of Old Christmas from the sketchbook of the 19th century American author Washington Irving.  

Christmas at Bracebridge Hall

Documented in his story were the English holiday celebrations that helped define the country and inspired others. Irving was most noted for his classic short stories, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. The exhibit transported guests back in time to an old English Christmas complete with a peacock pie in the dining room, tavern games in the upstairs parlor, and gambols for guests to partake in the downstairs parlor. Each room was identified with handmade letters inspired from the garden and by the illustrations of Randolph Caldecott.