Christmas at Blithewold: Tiffany, Tinsel & Toys
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Friday, December 10, 2010
GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor Andrea E. McHugh
For anyone who loves the sight of that iconic robin-egg blue box, a visit to
Blithewold Mansion in Bristol should be a priority as
Tiffany, Tinsel & Toys, this year’s Christmas at Blithewold’s design theme, is a uniquely fashionable interpretation of yuletide splendor. Tiffany pieces grace the table while eye-catching tinsel sparkles on trees, including the mansion’s breathtaking 18-foot Monroe Pine, decorated by artist Joanne Murrman. Hundreds of origami swans pepper the tree throughout, crafted by students from Bristol’s Colt Andrews School. Inside the mansion’s carriage house you’ll find the grand
Gingerbread Wonderland exhibit, a sweet display of expert and amateur creations that are equally tempting to eat! Visitors can vote for their favorite house in a number of different categories.
A Legacy of Granduer
Blithewold was once the private estate of the Van Wickle family who mad their fortune in the coal mining industry during the early 19th century. Brown University alum Augustus Van Wickle bought the land in 1894 and commissioned the building of the Queen Anne style manse, which was completed in time for the summer social season of 1896. After the tragic death of Augustus due to an accidental firing of his gun while skeet shooting, his wife Bessie remarried, but in 1906, the mansion burned to the ground. Bessie and her new husband rebuilt the next year, styling the home after traditional English Country Manor architecture.
Get the Most Out of Your Visit
While weekend visits accommodate a majority of schedules, it’s worth putting your pinky up for Afternoon Tea which is served Tuesday through Friday at 1:30pm or 3pm (of course, etiquette experts disagree about the pinky “up” positioning). The informal tea feature’s Blithewold’s custom blend tea paired with sweets and pastry, including locally made scones from Bristol Bakery. On Thursday and Saturday evenings through January 2, Blithewold’s guests will enjoy Holiday Musical Performances beginning at 6:30pm and on Sunday afternoons at 3pm with a diverse lineup including opera, classical and Celtic musicians (click here for a schedule).
http://www.blithewold.org/event/show/149 Admission to the mansion also includes access to the gardens and grounds, so green thumbs should bundle up. Little ones will also love Children's Story times, held at 4pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays through Christmas.
To go: Adult admission is $10; seniors and full-time student $8; children 6-17 $2 and children 5 and under free. Admission is free for members (membership levels begin at $15 for students, $37 for an individual and $57 for a household). Teas are seated on a first come, first served basis, with no reservations, and are not suitable for very young children. Tickets for tea are sold at the mansion for $12 per person.
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