Deck the Halls
I arrived at the Brandywine River Museum in late November to a whirlwind of action as over eighty volunteers and staff members were decorating the museum for Christmas.
I will admit then when I first arrived on the first floor lobby, I was so overwhelmed by all that was going on around me that I stood there for a moment just trying to process it all. Surrounding me were people carrying boxes, lifting bales of hay, hanging ornaments, sweeping, climbing ladders and doing a multitude of other tasks. The whole lobby smelled of hot coffee and pine trees and the general spirits of everyone were quite high and cheerful.
The main focus for almost everyone though was the Critter ornaments. Hand fashioned from natural materials, the Critters were hung carefully from the many trees in the museum. The trees have a specific theme: It’s Raining Cats and Dogs, Angels, Sports, Storybook Characters, Teddy Bears, Tally Ho, and my favorite: The Materials Tree which is unlit and decorated with the raw materials used in the making of the various Critters.
For around three hours the museum was full of action and then suddenly it all ended. The volunteers left, the empty critter boxes were stored away and what was left was simply amazing. For those of you who have never seen the museum decorated for the holidays, it is truly a sight to be seen. And for those of you who come every year I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. So come to A Brandywine Christmas on display from now through January 5th and become a part of this wonderful family tradition.