Great Christmas Events at the FPH

The Frank Phillips Home Announces Holiday Events

 

Posted by Kim

 

 The Christmas season is a special time to visit the Frank Phillips Home. The Home will open in full holiday splendor on Saturday, November 24th and will delight adults and children alike.  Beautiful poinsettia arrangements grace the front foyer. The grand stairway is trimmed with garland.   The first floor decorations include festive floral arrangements and Christmas trees in the music room, library, and sunroom.

 On the dining room table, the visitor will see the traditional centerpiece used by Jane Phillips when entertaining guests and family during the holiday season. The centerpiece, approximately four feet long, is a snow scene with Santa Claus and his sleigh. Along the sides of the sleigh are small wrapped gifts attached to ribbons that run across the table to each guest’s place setting. According to director Jim Goss, when “Aunt Jane” gave permission, each dinner guest would pull the string in front of them and the gift attached to it would be theirs.”

 
On the second floor, visitors are greeted by wreaths, beautiful trees and floral arrangements of the season. Of particular interest are handmade jeweled cone shaped trees in Mrs. Phillips’ bedroom.  Santa Claus waits to greet visitors in Frank’s bedroom, along with other fun Christmas items.

Upon reaching the third floor, the visitor is greeted by a nine-foot tree decorated in lights, small birds, and hundreds of candy canes.

On December 9th, from 2 to 4:00 pm, the Frank Phillips Home and the Jane Phillips Society invite parents and children to “Santa’s Cottage”, located just to the south of the mansion.  Re-enactors Brandon and Rachael Reid will portray Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and will visit with children of all ages.  JPS volunteers will serve homemade cookies and punch.  Be sure to bring a camera!  There is no charge for this event.

The “Santa Walk” is a new event this year that promises to be a lot of fun for all ages.  Visitors are invited to stroll through the three floors of the Home and visit with historic  Santa Clauses.   This is a juried group of reenactors from around the state who have studied the history of Saint Nicolas and other Christmas legends from around the world dating back to the 16th century. Each reenactor has a particular "Santa" that they portray - the most modern being 1907.  Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  Admission for the “Santa Walk” is $5 plus tax for adults, $2 plus tax for children 11 and under.

 At 3:30 pm that afternoon Tuba Christmas will perform on the front porch of the mansion.  It's not every day you'll see this:   A group of tuba and euphonium players performing holiday classics in a free outdoor concert, and anyone with the right instruments can join in by calling Alex Claussen , band director at the Bartlesville High School.  The tradition started at New York's Rockefeller Center in 1974, and has played out at 200 cities around the world.   The public is invited to bring a lawn chair and enjoy this beautiful concert.  In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Bartlesville High School.

The Home will be closed November 21-23, but will be open November 24 and decorated for Christmas.  Guided tours are available that day at 10, 11, 1, 2, 3 & 4.  The Home will be closed for Christmas holidays December 24-25 and for New Year’s December 31- January 1.  The Home will close during the month of January for staff training, cleaning, and archival work.    Further information about the Home, hours of operation and tour times can be obtained by calling 336-2491, Ext.103.