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Members Preview: Christmas Through the Eras Tour

  • Marietta Castle Museum 418 4th Street Marietta, OH, 45750 United States (map)

Experience Christmas across the decades at The Castle!

About Our Members Preview:

Castle Members are invited to be among the first to experience our brand-new Christmas Through the Eras Tour and explore this year’s special holiday displays before the tour opens to the public. After your tour, enjoy a selection of festive holiday treats and beverages as we celebrate the season with our members. 

About Christmas Through the Eras Tours:

This holiday season, step inside Christmas celebrations from 1888 through the 1970s with The Castle’s new Christmas Through the Eras Tour.

Explore the beautifully decorated historic house as four rooms transport you through four different eras of holiday traditions, decorations, entertainment, and everyday life. Discover how Christmas changed over time—and the traditions that continued to bring families together year after year.

Christmas Through the Eras is a self-guided, interactive experience featuring hands-on activities, tasting elements, sounds, scents, and other opportunities to engage your senses. Each evening features a special hands-on craft inspired by one of the four featured eras.

Explore Four Christmas Celebrations at The Castle

1888 Parlor — A Victorian Christmas

Step into the Davis family’s world and discover the traditions, decorations, music, and handmade touches of a Victorian Christmas. Try your hand at creating a handmade Christmas ornament inspired by the holiday traditions of the era.

1920s Sitting Room — Christmas Becomes Modern

Experience a Christmas shaped by electricity, new technology, popular entertainment, and the growing availability of mass-produced holiday goods. Discover the sounds and sights of a 1920s Christmas.

1950s Dining Room — The Christmas Table

See how postwar prosperity transformed holiday entertaining, from the Christmas table and family meals to decorations and gift-giving. You might even catch an enchanting whiff of the holiday menu.

1970s Modern Kitchen — Christmas Gets Convenient

Explore a colorful era of television, new household conveniences, DIY traditions, and changing ideas about how families celebrated the holidays. Enjoy a small bite inspired by 1970s holiday finger foods as you enter this space.

Continue Upstairs

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas” Scavenger Hunt

An interactive special display exploring one of the largely continued traditions of Christmas since the 1840s. 

Christmas Around the World with Bertlyn Bosley

Inspired by Bertlyn Bosley’s travels, this display explores the ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Discover festive traditions, decorations, and customs from different cultures encountered by Bertlyn’s global work as a renowned nutritionist.

Gather your family and friends and make a new holiday tradition at The Castle!


Full Listing of Tour Dates, Times, & Special Experiences

Each night of Christmas Through the Eras offers something a little different! Join us for a special pre-event experience & tour, enjoy an era-inspired craft, or come dressed in the style of your favorite decade.

And Don't Forget!

Our ever-popular Christmas Tea & Tour returns on Saturday, December 12. Join us for another special holiday experience at The Castle!


Reservations

Christmas Through the Eras Tour

Advance reservations are encouraged. Walk-up reservations will be available the night of the event.

  • General Admission (ages 8+): $14.50

  • Castle Members: $12.50 — use code MEMBER at checkout

  • Ages 7 & under: Free

Pre-Event Experience & Tour

Advance reservations are required. See schedule for these listings. 

  • General Admission (ages 8+): $20

  • Castle Members: $18 — use code MEMBER at checkout

  • Ages 7 & under: Free


Know Before You Go

  • Night-of Reservations: Need to make a reservation? Follow the brick sidewalk to the right of the house to reach the Carriage House.

  • Check-In: Already made your reservation? Have your receipt ready and enter the front doors of the house to check in with our greeters.

  • Accessibility: This experience includes stairs between the first and second floors. Guests with mobility concerns are encouraged to contact us in advance for accessibility assistance.

  • Parking: Parking is available along Fourth Street.

  • Accessible Parking: Limited accessible spaces are available off High School Lane, between the house and garage.

  • Bags: Large bags and backpacks are not permitted on tours. They may be checked at the sign-in counter.

  • Photography: Photography is welcome, but please be considerate of other guests. Flash photography and video recording are not permitted.

  • Gift Shop: The Carriage House Gift Shop will be open during the event for holiday shopping.

  • Cancellations: Refunds are available for cancellations made 48 hours or more before your scheduled date.


Help Us Bring Christmas Through the Eras to Life!

This holiday season, The Castle is taking visitors on a journey through time—and we need your help!

We are currently seeking select historic objects to help bring our 1888, 1920s, 1950s, and 1970s Christmas displays to life. Community donations will help us create a more authentic and engaging experience for visitors while preserving and sharing the stories behind these holiday traditions.

Help us curate this new experience! Learn more about the objects we are seeking and how you can contribute by click below: 


Support The Castle

Your participation helps The Castle continue to offer dynamic educational programs, preserve Marietta’s unique history, and inspire future generations.

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