NORWICH – The Chenango County Historical Society’s annual Holiday Open House will be held Sunday, Dec. 6 from non to 4 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Century of Christmas Fashions.” The museum will feature trees decorated in several different period styles, accompanied by fashions from the CCHS collection. There will be a special exhibit of vintage Christmas ornaments and salesman’s displays of Christmas lights from the private collection of CCHS Board member Warren Nash.

A special returning guest this year will be Mrs. Santa Claus. Since Santa can be so busy this time of year, Mrs. Claus came in his stead last year and is excited to return to assist children with their letters to Santa. Mrs. Claus hopes to have enough young guests to tell a special Christmas story at 2 p.m. Children will also be able to make holiday ornaments and take part in the “Holiday Hunt” through the Museum.

Another highlight of the Open House is a weaving demonstration by Kathryn McMahon. Kathryn has been working with the museum’s barn loom located in the Early 19th Century Room (“Wool Room”) on the second floor. There will be a Cookie Walk and all our best bakers will be busy preparing tasty cookies to tempt shoppers. Participating in the Cookie Walk is simple. You purchase a container for a set fee, then fill it with the cookies of your choice. This year we will offer two sizes of container, “Level” or “Heaping.” Shoppers may also visit the expanded Bull Thistle Gift Shop; several new holiday gift ideas have been added to the already wide variety of books available.