By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
CAYUGA—With the holidays fast approaching, visitors to Ruthven Park National Historic Site (RPNHS) can get into the spirit of the season as they step back in time and get a glimpse at what Christmas would have felt like for different generations of the Thompson family.
Brittany Van Dalen, Site Administrator at Ruthven, is looking forward to welcoming guests for the first official opening of regulated tours since 2020. Visitors enter the mansion into a room that has been reimagined as a Victorian parlour featuring traditional games and social activities.
Van Dalen explains that the tour highlights the 1800s, 1950s, and 1970s when different generations of the Thompson family were in residence. She says, “Various rooms are decorated to reflect those eras and what the world would have been like at Christmas time during those time periods.”
The kitchen is adorned with bright colours and whimsical ornaments of the 1950s. In contrast, the impressive dining room is prepared for Hogmanay, a traditional Scottish celebration held at the New Year. Guests will learn about the unique and special traditions associated with this occasion.
The double drawing room, which depicts the turn of the century, is reminiscent of opening gifts Christmas morning, while the adjacent parlour shows the style of the 1970s. Both rooms display ornaments, decorations, cards, and more that may be familiar to tour participants.
Throughout the 45-minute tours, stories of the family members who lived at Ruthven will be shared, enhancing the sense of nostalgia.
From room to room, historical changes are experienced through the decorations, such as the transition from wax candles to strands of electric lights.
Tours conclude with refreshments in the Coach House. Admission for Tuesday Christmas Tours is a donation of non-perishable goods for the Cayuga Food Bank. Friday Christmas Tours and Cream Tea are $20 and include scones, jam, cream, and tea. Pre-registration is required for tours on the RPNHS website.
As the staff and family of volunteers work to get Ruthven dressed for the holidays, Van Dalen says, “Showing different time periods and eras pulls out different memories for guests. We are excited to be opening the doors for such a festive season.”
For more information/tour registration visit ruthvenpark.ca.
