News Release

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS Celebrates the Holidays

Luminaria-lit paths create a beautiful scene during the 2018 Holiday Open House.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 11, 2018

Contact: Garrett Cloer, [phone]

On Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8, Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site hosted its Holiday Open House and Holiday House Tours for 2018. This annual event is a major undertaking for the site and is only possible due to vital assistance from volunteers and the staffs of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Sites. As always, the hard work proved worthwhile as nearly four hundred people from the surrounding community went through the decorated mansion over the two days.

It has truly become a highlight of the community calendar each year, providing the opportunity for neighbors near and far to connect to Cambridge’s National Park Service site. A highlight each year is the lighting of luminaria lining the paths around the historic landscape. Visitors were also able to participate in craft projects specially designed for varying skill levels. They experienced how generations of the Longfellow family celebrated the holiday season while leisurely walking through the decorated rooms and interacting with staff and volunteers. This year, there was an emphasis on music as a harpist performed in the Longfellows’ music room and Victorian carolers roved the grounds (some visitors even joined in on their favorite songs!). Saturday saw guided holiday-themed house tours and more craft activities. Whatever their reasons for attending, great fun was had by all!