Celebrate the holidays with Texas’ earliest residents and see how they did it “back then” on December 12 and 13, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., during Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village. Candlelight, a Dallas tradition for 38 years, is the perfect way for families to join together and kickoff the holiday season. Join the festivities as pioneer and Victorian Texas is brought to life by characters dressed in historical costumes and 38 structures from 1840 to 1910, lovingly decorated for the holidays by local garden clubs and community groups.
A Family Holiday Tradition For Families of All Kinds
Different family holiday traditions and activities are celebrated at Candlelight. Mrs. Blum welcomes relations to her 1900 home for Hanukkah, while Mrs. de Léon prepares her two-room Tejano home for a traditional 1900 Catholic Christmas. At the 1860s Farmstead, discover how early Dallas pioneers enjoyed a modest Christmas as the country approached the Civil War. Cowboys take a break from a cattle drive to tell festive tales around a bonfire in the middle of the Village. And no one will want to miss a chance to belly-up to Mr. Schmidt’s bar in the Alamo Saloon to partake of a root beer or play a game of dominoes.
The Village’s 1906 Shotgun House is the backdrop for a one of a kind exhibit, “Celebration! African-American Holiday Traditions.” Debra Mars, of Gifted by dezyn, has generously loaned a portion of her private collection of African-American Santas and angels, lovingly amassed over the last 20 years from across the United States. The exhibit will also include a rocking chair owned by Ms. Mars’ grandfather, a slave in Virginia until he was 8, and a drop-front desk made by slaves in Missouri around 1850, an artifact from the Collection of Dallas Heritage Village.Elizabeth Lawless will be in the Pilot Grove Church discussing and signing her new book Western Legends: Yesterday and Today…African Americans 1798 to 2009, a recounting of rarely told stories of black contributions during the 1800 and 1900’s to our collective Western history. The book explores lives of mountain men, buffalo soldiers, pioneer women, horse trainers, musicians and a host of other Western legends, many still alive today and carrying on the legacy.
Local musicians, dancers and storytellers entertain at the 1888 Renner School, on the 1900 Main Street stage, in the 1890 Pilot Grove Church, from porches of Victorian homes and along the candlelit pathways of the Village. Holiday tales recounted by the Dallas Storytelling Guild, seasonal songs sung by Southwest Children’s Chorus, festive sounds produced by the North Park Presbyterian Jubilate Ringers and a slew of many other local performance groups will please one and all. For a complete list of performers and performance times, please visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org.
Kids participate in hands-on holiday crafts throughout the Village when they make a Dreidel to play with during Hanukkah or create a Christmas ornament for their tree. At Dallas Heritage Village’s Learning Lounge, discover life in 1888 with the ongoing exhibit Green Fields, Black Smoke: Nature and Progress When Dallas was Young.
A Visit With Old St. Nick
Young and old alike will want to stop by the Bandstand to whisper their secret holiday wishes into the ear of Candlelight’s special nineteenth century guest, St. Nicholas. (Photos with St. Nicholas are available for $8.) Plus, take a ride around the Village in a wagon pulled by horses or even a carriage pulled by the Village’s loveable Mammoth Jack donkeys, Nip and Tuck. (Wagon and carriage rides are $4 per rider.)
Eddie Deen Catering serves a holiday Texas feast in the pavilion along with baked goodies prepared by the Dallas Heritage Village Guild. The dinner buffet will be served from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All you can eat meals are $12.50 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+) and $7.50 for kids (8 and under). Additional concession items such as coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, Bavarian Nutty Things and The Original Kettle Korn will also be available for purchase.
All proceeds from Candlelight benefit museum programs at Dallas Heritage Village. Candlelight, the museum’s biggest annual public fundraiser, is presented with additional support from Arnold Bros. Forest Products, Dallas Child, Green Mountain Energy Company, WiredLocal.com, WRR Classical 101.1 and many generous individual donors.
Admission to Candlelight
General admission to Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and $6 for children ages 4-12. Children under 4 and museum members are free. Tickets purchased online at www.DallasHeritageVillage.org by December 9 are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65+ and $4 for children.
Parking at Dallas Heritage Village During Candelight
Farmers Market, one block north of Dallas Heritage Village on Harwood Street, offers limited free public parking. Self-parking at the Village is available for $5 and valet-parking for $10 per vehicle. Guests with valid handicap tags will be able to valet park for $5.
Location for Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village
Dallas Heritage Village is located at Old City Park, 1515 South Harwood, one block south of Farmers Market, between Harwood and Ervay Streets. For a directions to the Village, go online to www.DallasHeritageVillage.org. For recorded directions, call 214-421-5141.
About Dallas Heritage Village
Dallas Heritage Village, located at Old City Park, is a nationally accredited history museum, depicting life in Dallas from 1840-1910. The grounds showcase 38 historic structures, including log cabins, the Civil War era Millermore home, a Victorian Main Street, a railroad complex, an 1860s farmstead with livestock, a nineteenth century church, school and more.
The Village highlights historical themes brought to life by first-person characters dressed in period clothing, special exhibits and programming including lectures, demonstrations and special events. Through December 30, 2009 and March 1 to June 30, 2010, the Village looks at whether people were really “greener” in 1888 during Green Fields, Black Smoke: Nature and Progress when Dallas was Young.
Dallas Heritage Village is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts, as well as individual and group donations from corporations, members and other constituents. Dallas Heritage Village is located at 1515 South Harwood, one block south of Farmers Market in Downtown Dallas. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 4 p.m. Regular admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 65+ and $4 for children ages 4-12. Admission in February and September is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 65+ and $3 for children ages 4-12. Children under four and members of Dallas Heritage Village are admitted free of charge. The Village is closed during the months of January and August. For more information call 214-421-5141 or visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org.