Nov 19, 2013 1 min read

The Bradford House Museum, 175 S. Main St., Washington, will host special holiday tours from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8.

Vignettes of a Twelfth Night celebration will be shown in each room, with re-enactors in period attire portraying family members and party guests. Docents will be stationed throughout the house to answer questions.

Christmas Day in the 1790s was a subdued religious holiday – church, decorating the house with a few evergreen garlands and sprigs of holly and mistletoe, a special meal and visiting family and friends. Extensive gift-giving and decorated Christmas trees came about in the 19th century, and New Year’s Day was virtually ignored.

Instead, the Twelfth Night celebration on Jan. 6 was the highlight of the Yuletide season, with feasts, drinking, musical entertainment, dancing, and a special Twelfth Night Cake, rich with eggs, dried fruit and brandy, with a token baked inside. The person who found the token in his or her slice of cake was crowned king or queen of the evening’s festivities.

Visit www.bradfordhouse.org for more information.