Celebrate "A Christmas Past" in West Branch, Iowa

Date: November 14, 2008
Contact: Adam Prato, [phone]
Contact: Janlyn Slach, [phone]
Contact: Main Street West Branch, [phone]

WEST BRANCH, IOWA—West Branch, Iowa, the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, will host “A Christmas Past” events from Friday, December 5 until Sunday, December 7. Horse-drawn wagon rides on Friday and Saturday evenings start at 5:30 p.m. from the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. The rides take visitors through Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and historic downtown West Branch. The last wagon rides begin at 8:00 p.m. The Herbert Hoover Birthplace Cottage, Blacksmith Shop, Schoolhouse, and Friends Meetinghouse will be open to visitors on Friday and Saturday nights until 8:30 p.m. Park ranger Chuck Ping demonstrates the art and craft of blacksmithing in the Blacksmith Shop on Friday and Saturday nights until 8:30 p.m. For more information, call Herbert Hoover National Historic Site at [phone].

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum displays Christmas trees in its annual holiday exhibit, this year with 20 decorated trees showcasing the life and career of Elvis Presley. Free weekend performances at the Presidential Library and Museum include stage presentations by The Young Footliters, Christmas carols by the Uncalled Four quartet and the West Branch Community Choir, and appearances by an Elvis impersonator. Sunday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. is the Presidential Library and Museum’s Holiday Open House, featuring refreshments and visits with Santa Claus and Aunt Holly. For more information call the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum at [phone].

Main Street West Branch will feature brick fireplaces for roasting marshmallows, fresh cooked doughnuts, photos with Santa Claus, along with family-friendly holiday crafts and activities to celebrate the season downtown. Shops will be open for business Friday night and Saturday, and carolers will sing from the Deck downtown on both Friday and Saturday evening. Be sure to stop at the Banquet Room at Champagne's Supper Club to check out the craft fair on Saturday afternoon. For more information, call Main Street West Branch at [phone] or visit us online at mainstreetwestbranch.org.

Main Street West Branch invites visitors to holiday tea at the Town Hall in downtown West Branch. The Holiday Teas are Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Holiday Children’s Teas are on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information, ticket prices, and reservations, call [phone] or [phone].

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 of I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space.

Download the schedule of events for "A Christmas Past"