Holiday open house takes place in Tyler December 9

The Goodman-LeGrand Museum, Cotton Belt Depot, and Smith County Historical Society open their doors.

Downtown Tyler

TYLER — Three of Downtown Tyler’s museums and Gallery Main Street will join forces to host a holiday season open house from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 9.

The Goodman-LeGrand Museum, Cotton Belt Depot, and Smith County Historical Society will be joined by Gallery Main Street in opening their doors free to the public for the third year in a row. Admission to all of the facilities will be free during Open House hours.

“This event has quickly grown into one of Tyler’s favorite holiday season activities,” said Tyler Main Street Department Director Beverly Abell. “Seeing the decorations, watching the reenactors and enjoying seasonal treats really gets one into the holiday spirit,” she added.

The Goodman-LeGrand Museum will celebrate “A Victorian Christmas” at 624 N. Broadway. Christmas Belles will greet visitors upon their arrival at the 151-year-old historic landmark. Reenactors will portray the Goodman family, and new artifacts will be on display for the first time. Among the new items will be some of the Goodman family dresses that date back to the Civil War era.

Carolers and musicians will entertain, and “vintage” treats will be served under the grand porches of the building. A vintage horse-drawn carriage will offer rides for a small fee.

The historic Cotton Belt Depot, 210 E. Oakwood, will also feature treats for visitors, as well as rail memorabilia set among holiday decorations.

“Children absolutely love the Depot,” Abell said. “It’s a joy to watch their faces as they visit with the museum volunteers and watch those model trains operate.”

The Smith County Historical Society at 125 S. College will feature an array of historic seasonal items. On display will be vintage Christmas and New Year cards dating from circa 1890 to 1920, dollhouses, vintage Christmas tunes, photos from parades and events around Tyler, refreshments and perhaps even a visit from old Saint Nick himself.

All three of the museums are on the National Register of Historic Places, Abell said.

Gallery Main Street will host an opening reception in honor of a “Best of Show” exhibit featuring three artists whose work won “Best of Show” honors at the gallery during the 2010 exhibit year.

The museums open house also joins forces with other downtown events occurring during the same time frame.

The Downtown Tyler ArtWalk is also set for Dec. 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. More than 30 artists will display in numerous spaces downtown.

“We invite the public to wander ‘round downtown to visit with the artists and find that perfect gift,” Abell said. She noted that performing artists including a wandering troubadour, dancers, a live band and magician will join the artists who will display their work.

In addition, the first-ever HistoryWalk will be held to celebrate the Half Mile of History historical marker project. Eight figures from Tyler history will be portrayed by actors who will tell of “their” history as well as the history of Tyler. Stationed throughout the downtown area will be actors telling the stories of Camp Fannin, Doc Witt, Gov. James Hogg, Lady Willie Lee Campbell Glass. O.C. Palmer, Camp Ford the Tyler Carnegie / Public Library and Henry M. Morgan.

The HistoryWalk will go from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public, Abell said. Those who want more information should call the Tyler Main Street Department at (903) 593-6905 or go to www.cityoftyler.org or www.heartoftyler.com.

Source: City of Tyler