Both Newstead Historical Society museums open for the holidays

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Rich-Twinn Octagon House is decorated for an old fashioned 1850’s Victorian Christmas and open for tours.  The NHS “Highlights of the Octagon” tours takes place on Sundays, December 3, December 10, and December 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.  There reduced fees for youth 11 -17 years old and children 5 and under tour for free.

If you would like a private or group tour during this time (December 5th – 20th) please leave a message at 716–542-4270 or email Director_RTOH@newsteadhistoricalsociety.org

The Knight-Sutton Museum, 123 Main St. is open those same hours with a new exhibit called “Moments in Time”.  In addition to the exhibit anyone interested in the history of Akron/Newstead should will enjoy our new research library.  The library consists of 115 notebooks of primary resources on every topic relating to this town.  It has an atlas going back to 1866, most of the ACS yearbooks, old bound issues of the Akron News, farm and business journals, as well as cemetery and hotel ledgers from the turn of the century.  Tis is truly a wonderful opportunity to travel back in time.

Candlelight Open House

This year, the Candlelight Open House will coincide with the Light Up Akron festivities.

The Rich-Twinn Octagon House will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the Knight-Sutton Museum will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 9 with trolley car rides between the museums graciously provided by Jim and Lynn Asmus.

At the Octagon House, Anneliese Meck, who has given two NHS programs on nineteenth century fashions will be there greeting visitors, Jannette Potera will demonstrate what types of ornaments people made at home for these early Christmas celebrations, and John Potera will talk about Christmas tree customs of the nineteenth century and will light the candles on the tree at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30.  This evening event will have a suggested donation of five to ten dollars per adult.

There will be some music and light refreshments will be served. All are invited to make visiting the Octagon and the Knight-Sutton Museum part of your family’s holiday celebration.

There is no charge to visit the Knight-Sutton Museum.

For more information, please visit the NHS website at newsteadhistoricalsociety.org or find them on Facebook.