Written by: Ellen Bruzelius Media contact
A Modern Take on a Classic Christmas
Bronx, New York, November 22, 2013 – Bartow-Pell’s popular Storybook Christmas Trees are back with a modern twist this year. Classics from yesteryear are taking a back seat to contemporary favorites–from Fancy Nancy to Olivia Helps with Christmas–as the theme for this year’s trees.
The season kicks off on Friday, December 6th with the Holiday Luncheon—fine food and friends, shopping for gifts and home-baked goods at the Bartow–Pell holiday shop (stocked, once again, with the help of Kensington Paper in Bronxville), and the first glimpse of the Storybook Christmas Trees. That evening, the Metropolitones return to Bartow-Pell for an a capella holiday First Friday!
Saturday brings Bartow-Pell’s annual Holiday Family Day chock-full of events for all ages, including story teller Susan Rauh from the City Island Theatre Group bringing this year’s storybooks to life, a visit from Santa—and, if you’ve been very, very good, a photo with the jolly old elf. That evening, it’s time to raise a tune and a glass at the grand Holiday Evening Celebration. Guests will enjoy the mansion in full holiday splendor with carols, cocktails, delicious food, and friends. They’ll have an opportunity to bid on a wide range of fabulous gifts and support the mansion. The silent and live auction items range from a week in a ski condo at Jiminy Peak or at a waterfront condo in Naples, Florida to a four-course food and wine pairing at Underhill’s Crossing in Bronxville or a private architectural tour of Greenwich Village. There’s something for all ages, tastes, and budgets!
Through it all, the eight Storybook Christmas trees will delight visitors from entry hall to the double parlors to the Lannuier bedchamber. This year’s designers are a mix of individuals and organizations from Manhattan, the Bronx, City Island, Pelham, and Scarsdale. In addition to artists, interior designers, and docents (see the full list below), this year’s trees will be trimmed by teams from The JFM Group, a Pelham-based firm that serves nonprofits; the Bronx Council on the Arts; and Bronx Parks 125, the organization leading the Bronx Parks’ 125th anniversary celebrations.
There’s more to come—including music with the Bronx Arts Ensemble, candlelit tours of the holiday mansion and Victorian Carolers, and birding—all magical ways to kick off the season with a bit of 19th- century spirit and help support Bartow-Pell programs for the coming year.
HOLIDAY 2013 EVENTS
Holiday Luncheon
Friday, December 6, 12:30–2 p.m.
Start off the holiday season with a festive luncheon at the mansion. Enjoy delicious food, shop for gifts and home-baked goods, and catch up with friends. Falalalala… Reservations required, 718.885.1461 or info@bpmm.org for information.
Holiday First Friday! with the Metropolitones
Friday, December 6, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Experience the mansion decked out for the holidays and delight in the festive, a cappella sound of the Metropolitones. Do a little holiday shopping and enjoy refreshments. The free Bronx Seaside Trolley
makes a continuous loop from the #6 Pelham Bay Park subway station to BPMM to City Island. Registration requested, 718.885.1461 or info@bpmm.org. Cost $12 adults, $10 seniors & students; members free.
BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, New York 10464 Holiday 2013_page 1
Annual Holiday Family Day: A Storybook Christmas
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Holiday spirit abounds during this fun-filled day. Children (and parents) will delight in holiday storytelling and crafts, professional photographs with Santa, holiday shopping, and more. Storytelling at 10:15 and 12:15; holiday crafts and photos with Santa are on-going. Space is limited, registration required, 718.885.1461 or info@bpmm.org. Cost $20 children one year and up; member children $15 (adults and children under one year free) Photos with Santa additional $20 fee.
Holiday Evening Celebration
Saturday, December 7, 7–10 p.m.
Celebrate—and support—the mansion in holiday splendor. Enjoy cocktails, holiday fare, caroling, auction, and more! Reservations required. Call 718.885.1461 for tickets and info.
Bronx Arts Ensemble Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 14, 1 & 3 p.m.
The Bronx Arts Ensemble and Singers present a wonderful holiday concert with music for St. Nicholas. Concert is free, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call Bronx Arts Ensemble at 718.601.7399 for tickets. The museum will not be open for tours on Saturday.
Holiday Candlelight Tours and Victorian Carolers
Saturday, December 14, 6–8 p.m.
Experience the mansion by candlelight with costumed docents highlighting 19th-century holiday traditions. Victorian carolers add to the festive atmosphere, performing while you enjoy light holiday fare and wassail in the Orangerie. Plus Christmas trees throughout the house decorated by designers and artists inspired by contemporary children’s books. Reservations required, 718.885.1461 or info@bpmm.org. Cost $12 adults, $10 seniors, students, & members.
Bronx Arts Ensemble Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 15, 1 & 3 p.m.
The Bronx Arts Ensemble and Singers present a wonderful holiday concert with music for St. Nicholas. Concert is free, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call Bronx Arts Ensemble at 718.601.7399 for tickets. The museum will not be open for tours on Sunday.
Birding at Bartow
Saturday, December 21, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Start the holidays with a bird walk, searching for the legendary owls that winter at BPMM. Barred, long- eared, saw-whet, and great horned owls have been returning year after year to harbor in the pines and woods around the mansion. Also of interest are rare visitors such as crossbills and pine siskins that may be migrating through. Registration requested, 718.885.1461 or info@bpmm.org. Cost $10; seniors, students, & members $8.
THE TREES
The Smallest Gift of Christmas by Peter H. Reynolds; Tree design by Bronx Council on the Arts
Auntie Claus by Elsie Primavera; Tree design by interior designers Sarah Sarna & Tina Ramchandani from Franklin Eighth
The 12 Days of Christmas by Robert Sabuda; Tree design by set designer Joe Burck
Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer; Tree design by artists Judy Moonelis and Jeff Mongrain
Christmas Tree for Pyn by Olivier Dunrea; Tree design by Bronx Parks 125
The Mitten by Jan Brett; Tree design by Jane Bell
Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor; Tree design by Bartow-Pell docents Linda Sacewicz and Christine Williams Olive the Other Reindeer Storybook by Vivian Walsh; Tree design by The JFM Group LLC
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About Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
A National Historic Landmark located in New York City’s largest park, Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, an 1840s Greek Revival mansion, is the last of the country estates in the Pelham Bay area. BPMM is located at 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, New York. The mansion and carriage house are open to the public for guided tours on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The gardens and grounds are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. For more information about Bartow-Pell, visit www.bpmm.org
BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, New York 10464 Holiday 2013_page 2
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