Gettysburg's Historic Farnsworth House announces unique holiday dinner theater experience
(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 11/13/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE …
CONTACT:
Rene Staub
Director of Marking and Promotions
Farnsworth House Inn
(717) 334-8838
[email protected]
There will be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmas long, long ago.
The Historic Farnsworth House Inn invites you to join them in the spirit of the holidays as they present their “Spirits of Christmas Past” Dinner Theatre at 7p.m. every Saturday in December. The historic dining room will be decked with period décor as guests will eat, drink and be merry with a holiday feast and entertainment of Civil War era Christmas Carols, customs and ghost stories. Reservations are required.
The dinner theatre will take you back in time to share in the warmth of the Victorian holiday spirit with the chill of ghost stories. In 19th century America, the tabletop Christmas tree was becoming a tradition after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were shown with a decorated tree. Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” just 20 years prior to the Civil War, giving readers chills as they imagined haunting specters on the eve of the holiday.
The Farnsworth House, ranked as one of the most haunted inns in America by the Travel Channel and A&E, has its share of “holiday spirits”. One of the younger spirits is said to have been heard singing Christmas carols throughout the historic house.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow composed the words to “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” on December 25th, 1864. Originally containing seven stanzas, two stanzas are omitted in present day renditions which contain references to the Civil War. This missing verse will certainly ring throughout the halls of the Farnsworth House every Saturday night in December. Longfellow’s words flowed from his personal experiences involving the tragic death of his wife and the crippling injury of his son from war wounds. The reelection of Abraham Lincoln or the possible end of the terrible war may have been the occasion for the poem.
The Pennsylvania Dutch holiday buffet will include such selections as Lancaster County Ham, Sauerkraut and Finely Chopped Pork, their signature Game Pie and a selection of holiday desserts. A period dressed actor will host the evening and perform Civil War era Christmas carols intermittently mixed with 19th century holiday customs.
Following the dinner, the audience will descend the stairs into the cellar of the Farnsworth House for dramatically portrayed ghost stories.
“Spirits of Christmas Past” Dinner Theatre will take place at 7p.m. on December 5, 12, 19 and 26. Tickets are $34.95 per adult and $16.95 per child 12 and under. Call (717) 334-8838 for reservations and tickets. Tickets can also be purchased in the bookstore adjacent to the Farnsworth House. There is complimentary parking in the rear of the building. The “Vacant Chair” Dinner Theatre, based on mourning customs and superstitions, will return in January and run thru the end of March.
Bon Appetit Magazine wrote “History never tasted so good”. Join us for a taste of the holidays in one of the most haunted inns in America to satisfy your appetite for an evening filled with great food, history and holiday spirits.
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