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Christmas Past
Photo
The library features a Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of new and antique glass and crystal prisms.
Historical Society preserves good, old-fashioned Christmas
If you go
What: “Memories of Christmas Past”
When: Through Jan. 8. Museum hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Where: The Arms Family Musem, 648 Wick Ave.
Admission: $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens; and $4 for children age 3-18 (under 3 free)
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Rare, one-of-a kind, vintage Christmas decorations are on display at The Arms Family Museum, 648 Wick Ave.
The museum presents Memories of Christmas Past, the annual holiday spectacular through Jan. 8. The exhibit is in its fourth year in the 1905 Arts and Crafts mansion of Olive and Wilford Arms.
The seven period rooms of the Arms family home are filled to the brim with one-of-a-kind, vintage decorations that include ornaments, lighting, trees, toys and trains. This display features many pieces from the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s collection as well as items on loan from private collectors.
What makes this exhibit so unique is that the pieces are displayed as they would have been in someone’s home.
“The pieces in this exhibit are things you’ll remember from childhood, mingled with rare antiques that visitors will not see anywhere else,” said Leann Rich, manager of education. “Using the historic home as a backdrop creates a charming experience and lets the visitors view the items elegantly displayed over the fireplace, around the Christmas tree and on the dining-room table.”
Visitors to the 2010 exhibit called the display “like something out of New York City — it’s so elaborate and detailed it’s impossible to see everything in just one walk-through.”
Visitors are welcome on the self-guided tour to make multiple passes through the period rooms as well as visit the second-floor local history exhibits, and the Anne Kilcawley Christman Hands-On History Room.
Proceeds from the event help fund the educational and exhibit programs sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.
Sponsors of the event are the Anne Kilcawley Christman Foundation, The Vindicator, The DeBartolo Corp., Farmers Trust Co., Murphy Contracting, PNC, Simco Management Corp., and The Home Savings & Loan Co.