Visitors to the Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio in East Hampton will be transported back to the 19th century in December with "Victorian Christmas," a holiday exhibition featuring festive decor, period clothing, antique postcards, vintage toys, and silver. It opens on Wednesday.
The site is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1884 by Moran as the first artist's studio in East Hampton. This marked the beginning of the village as an artists' colony.
"Join the East Hampton Historical Society as we explore how so many of the holiday traditions that we associate with Christmas were popularized by Victorian-era families such as Mary Nimmo and Thomas Moran and their children," said Steve Long, executive director of the East Hampton Historical Society. "Come see how the Morans decorated their tree and home, sang carols, sent greeting cards, and helped transform Christmas into the holiday we know and celebrate today."
The studio will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday beginning this week through Dec. 19, and then on Dec. 22 and 23. Tickets are $5, and preregistration has been recommended.
The studio will host "Aglow: A Holiday Experience," a family celebration featuring photo ops with Santa Claus, live Christmas music, and crafts for children, on Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for society members, and $5 for children under 16. Registration ahead of time is required, and tickets for both events can be purchased on the society's website.
The studio is now a member of the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program celebrates the homes and working studios of artists across the nation.