Join us this holiday season for a festive party like you have never seen before!
"Victorian Christmas: A Yuletide Social" takes you back to 1875 where you can experience what the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas were in the frontier Army. Our team and period reenactors in military and civilian dress will be on hand to educate and entertain the public through historic presentations, games, carols, period food and beverages, historic firearm demonstrations (conditions permitting), gift & decoration making, and more!
This special event will be held both inside the Commissary and the Custer House, located next to Cavalry Square on Sunday, December 1st from 11 am-4:30 pm. All ages are welcome to attend; we have something for everyone! Whether you stay for the whole event or stop in for a short while, you'll be sure to have a historic good time.
Please see the official schedule below for a full list of event activities:
Victorian Christmas Schedule
-11:00AM - Calling On Neighbors
Reenactors will conduct a guided walk around the parade ground of the Cavalry Post, representing the common practice of calling upon one’s neighbors on Christmas and discussing the general history of Fort Abraham Lincoln.
-12:30PM -’Frontier Christmas’ Presentation
A talk on the history of Christmas on the western frontier will be conducted, examining various stories of celebrating the holiday at frontier military forts in the American West.
-1:00PM - Firing Weapons (conditions permitting)
A demonstration on the parade ground will be conducted on the firing of weapons in celebration of the holiday.
-1:30PM - Games
Period parlor games will be played in the parlor of the Custer House by reenactors. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate or simply observe.
-2:30PM - Caroling
Popular Christmas carols of the period will be sung by reenactors at the Custer House. Lyrics sheets will be provided for those wishing to sing along.
-3:30PM - ‘Frontier Christmas’ Presentation
A talk on the history of Christmas on the western frontier will be conducted, examining various stories of celebrating the holiday at frontier military forts in the American West.
-4:15PM - Firing Weapons (conditions permitting)
A demonstration on the parade ground will be conducted on the firing of weapons in celebration of the holiday.
-4:30PM - Event Ends
Period Appropriate Food and Beverages will include:
-Coriander Cookies
-Sugar Cookies
-Mincemeat Pies
-Plum Pudding
-Eggnog
(hot chocolate, apple cider, and modern-day sugar cookies will also be available)
*Commissary event location is wheelchair accessible.
**Dogs are not allowed inside the Commissary unless they are a registered service animal.
Event tickets are required to attend. Tickets are $5 per person [children and adults]. Children under the age of 5 are free to attend. Tickets will be on sale at the park entrance booth and at the Commissary Store. A $7 Daily Vehicle Pass, or an ND State Parks Annual Pass is still required to enter the park.
Really feeling the holiday spirit? Then join us next week for the annual "Light the Blockhouse Hike" on Sunday, December 8th! For more details on the hike please see the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/545200461534905For more information about Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park visit www.parkrec.nd.gov.
For more information about the event call 701-667-6340. #visitmandan #christmas #victorianstyle
