LIVERMORE — The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore will open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, for a family-friendly interactive Christmas celebration. Experience Christmas in the 19th century and participate in living history activities around this beautiful and tranquil estate. Activities include wagon rides, caroling, period crafts, storytelling, parlor games, cooking in the farmer’s cottage, the one-room schoolhouse and tours of the 1867 Washburn family Italianate mansion. Soup, cookies and mulled cider made fresh on the woodstove will be available for a donation, while supplies last.

See and hear how the Washburns and their neighbors, the Bradfords, anticipated Christmas and prepared for the holiday. Journey back in time for a greater understanding of how the holiday evolved over the course of the 19th-century and the different ways Washburn family members celebrated in cities such as Chicago and Washington, D.C., during the 1800s, compared to family members living at Norlands at the same time.

In the mansion, dining room will be decorated as if the Washburns are expecting guests. Children can help decorate the tree and will be intrigued with the historic toys on display. “Aunt Clara” will be visiting and sharing stories of Christmas past and parlor games for all ages. Dramatic readings of “The Night Before Christmas” and other poems will take place periodically throughout the day and guests may sing along with the Norlands’ carolers in the ladies’ parlor. In the Washburn kitchen,  string popcorn for the tree or make a period craft, such as lavender sachets popular in the 1800s.

The gift shop will be open, offering Norlands’ own maple syrup, old-time toys, books, prints, cards, caps and bonnets, dolls, stick candy and more.

A cookie walk fundraiser benefits the new barn fund. For only $5, fill a bag with homemade cookies to take home.

Admission is $10 per person; $6 ages 12 and under; $25 family rate. The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is located at 290 Norlands Road,  Livermore.

For more information, call 207-897-4366 or visit www.NORLANDS.org.

If the weather is questionable, please check for an event cancellation ?notice on Norlands’ Facebook page or outgoing ?telephone ?message by calling 207-897-4366 by 9 a.m. on the morning of the event.