Stone Academy Brings 1850s Holidays to Life
ZANESVILLE, OH – If you’ve ever wondered how Muskingum County residents celebrated Christmas in the 1850s, this weekend is your chance to find out.
The Stone Academy, one of two museums operated by the Muskingum County Historical Society, is hosting its annual holiday open house on Sunday, December 8th, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Special exhibits will showcase how homes in the mid-1800s were decorated for the holidays, bringing history to life for visitors.
“We welcome the public to come in and visit the Stone Academy to see a few special exhibits. We are highlighting what it looked like in the 1850s in a traditional home in the Putnam or Zanesville area, and the decorations they might’ve had,” Muskingum County History Executive Director Larisa Harper said. “We want to look at what the traditions would have been like in the mid 18050s when they were all going through abolitionism, the anti-slavery movement, and the civil war. We want to see what those individuals in this area may have experienced.” Harper said.
Additional displays will highlight Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, giving visitors a chance to learn about other celebrations in December. The open house will also feature music, light refreshments, and a silent auction with unique items.
“I’m looking forward to interacting with the people of our community who maybe have never been to the Stone Academy. A lot of the time, we get visitors who say, ‘I’ve never been here, and I’ve lived here all my life.’ I want to share with them all of our exhibits, and our love for the history of this area,” Harper said.
The Stone Academy is located at 115 Jefferson Street in Zanesville, and the event is free and open to the public. For more information about this event and others, please visit the website below.
