Twelve regional garden clubs decorated Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Va., for the Christmas season. A property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the house museum is open free of charge during the holidays through Dec. 22 and Dec. 26-30.
Eight of the garden clubs are competing in a tree-decorating contest and each room of the mansion and the hallway will have its own decorated tree. Before Christmas, there will be live musical entertainment. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. After Christmas (Dec. 26-30) the house is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Belle Grove is one mile south of Middletown, just off of Route 11. Call (703) 869-2028.
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"A Jamestown Christmas" at Jamestown Settlement near Williamsburg, Va., explores old English yuletide traditions through Dec. 31. A film focuses on holiday celebrations in England with those in the Jamestown Colony. Although little is known about Christmas in the early years of the Colony, historians believe that church services were the only form of celebration.
"The Lord of Misrule" a 17th-century character who presided over yuletide festivities in England, greets visitors and leads them through the fort. Activities include traditional English games, music, hands-on crafts and holiday food preparation.
Aboard replicas of the ships that brought settlers to Virginia, costumed interpreters talk about the Colonists' first Christmas after they left London Dec. 20, 1606. In the Powhatan Indian village, an interpreter discusses hospitality extended to the Colonists by the Kecoughtan Indians during the winter of 1608-1609.
Jamestown Settlement is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Christmas and New Year's days. Admission is $7.50 for adults; $3.75 for ages 6 to 12. The museum is on state Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. Call (804) 229-1607.