The first snow of the season a few days ago was the perfect harbinger for the upcoming White Christmas with Story Tours at the Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum.
A sweet treat inspired by the novel A Christmas Carol will also be available.
“This year we will tell about the origin of a White Christmas with anecdotes ranging from wintertime in Victorian-era England to the biggest snowball fight on record in the United States, facts that we will relate to life and historical facts from this region,” Lisa Wittmeyer, curator at Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum said.
Julie Lewis and John Shackelford, both of Platte County, greet visitors at the opening of White Christmas at the museum.
Volunteers have dedicated their time and talents to decorating the museum for the Christmas event and they included: Joy Brooks of Liberty, Janice Robinson, Evie Knodel, Jamie Knodel, and Joyce Taylor of Platte City, the Platte Purchase Chapter of DAR, Anne Jones of Weatherby Lake, Julie Lewis and Wittmeyer.
“Not only have the museum’s rooms been transformed into a White Christmas wonderland, but 10 trees have been distinctively and beautifully adorned, Event Coordinator Sue VanAmburg from the Platte County Historical Society said. “The Society owns and operates this museum in a fully restored, Victorian mini-mansion modeled architecturally on the Missouri Governor’s Mansion.”
The Museum has been hosting this holiday event for about 30 years, but in recent years with the addition of the story tours, it has become more popular with local families.
“We are all exposed to media images around this time of year, so coming to the museum is a way to try something new, yet real and authentic,” Wittmeyer said. “People traditionally sing and tell stories at holidays, so through our Sunday story tours we carry on that practice in a unique way. Each year we create a new story to match the holiday’s theme.”
On Sunday, Dec. 14, the museum will offer story tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m., each tour lasting approximately 20 minutes.
“We hope that not only adults, but also the kids in our community will find this event interesting and fun and that it will become for them a new holiday tradition,” Becky Bauer, president of the Platte County Historical Society said. “The stories are original for each year’s theme, so they are one-of-a-kind and special for this reason. A raffle with a chance at three different prizes also will be offered.”
“Families say that they like the experience of stepping back in time at the museum and especially during the holidays, when the trees and decorations create a festive atmosphere,” Wittmeyer said. “Museum guides and volunteers from the community also take time to answer the questions children might have. In short, no matter how cold it is outside, it is always warm inside the museum with lots to see and learn about.”
Admission is $5 for adults, free for children. The museum is located at 3rd & Ferrel in Platte City. No reservations are required but large groups are encouraged to call in advance (816) 304-1627.