Christmas at Glencairn

What a magnificent experience!  

WORLD NATIVITIES
Glencairn Museum’s World Nativities exhibition presents dozens of three-dimensional Nativity scenes, collected from around the world. For many Christians the Nativity scene is a meaningful expression of religious faith, providing a compelling visual focus during the Christmas season. World Nativities reveals how artisans have adapted the Nativity scene to represent their own national, regional, and local cultures. Nativities are often crafted from whatever materials are locally available, such as clay, grass, cornhusks, bark, gourds, and even coconuts.

Glencairn’s own Nativity tradition dates to the 1920s, when Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn commissioned a large three-part Nativity for their home by craftsmen from the Bryn Athyn Studios. The Pitcairn Nativity has been displayed annually in Glencairn’s Upper Hall since the building was completed in 1939. In the 1950s the Pitcairns commissioned a similar Nativity for the Eisenhower family, which was placed beside the Christmas tree in the East Room of the White House.

Kathleen Glenn Pitcairn, an artisan who lives in Bryn Athyn, has provided artistic settings for nearly all of the Nativities.

A CENTURY OF SANTA
A Century of Santa: Images of Santa Claus in the 1800s presents the early history of Santa Claus in America, using rare magazine illustrations, store advertising, and children’s storybooks from the collection of the National Christmas Center and Museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Beginning with early gift givers such as the Christkindl (the Christ Child), the Belsnickel (who handed out gifts to good children but coal to naughty children), and Philadelphia’s own Kris Kringle, this exhibition will use both two- and three-dimensional images to trace the visual evolution of Santa throughout the Nineteenth Century.

CHRISTMAS in the CASTLE

How do you celebrate Christmas in a 20th-century castle? This 45-minute guided tour reveals how Christmas was celebrated at Glencairn when it was the private home of the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn family (1940s to 1970s). Visitors will also explore works of art in the Glencairn collection depicting the Nativity of Jesus Christ, dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Stops include the Great Hall, Upper Hall, Tower, Chapel, Master Bedroom, and Medieval Treasury. At the conclusion of the tour visitors may explore the Museum’s World Nativities exhibition at their own pace. 

ADVENT SACRED ART WORKSHOP 

Saturdays December 6, 13, 20, 2014    12:00 to 4:30 PM     Admission: $185, plus $25 for materials. Limited to 8 participants. Reservations required.   Contact Ms. Kelly vonMedicus at eikon68@aol.com for more information.

Students will learn the calligraphy of Coptic-style script adapted to the English alphabet, and then will make a bound and covered 22-page accordion-fold concertina book lettering the complete text of the Gloria in English. The project will include a color illustration of an angel based on the ceiling painting at Debre Birhan Selassie church, Gonder, Ethiopia, and decorative pen work on the text pages. The workshop will include lecture and practice. No previous artistic experience is necessary. Students should be prepared to spend some time between classes practicing the script.

Please send deposit of $100 to reserve your place to:
Susan Kelly vonMedicus
PO Box 455
Fort Washington, PA 19034

Susan Kelly von Medicus was born in Philadelphia to the fabled Kelly clan.  Susan has recently completed an icon as a gift for the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Monaco, a commission  from her cousin  Prince Albert II  to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the archdiocese of Monaco.

Christmas 2014 Homeschool Days   
Tuesday & Thursday, December 9 & 11  9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


Admission: $3 per person, children 3 and under free. Tour reservations required. Contact Diane Fehon at diane.fehon@glencairnmuseum.org or 267.502.2995 to book your spot.


Visit the Museum and participate in a variety of family activities, including the World Nativities exhibition, a guided tour, a Christmas Art Quest, and holiday shopping.

Please no strollers or backpack-style baby carriers.
 

GLENCAIRN SING   
Tuesday, December 16        8:00 PM (doors open at 7:15)    Admission: $10 general admission, FREE for Museum members. No advance ticket sales.  Reserved seating for Gold members only. Reservations required by Monday, December 15. Contact Joralyn Echols Glenn at 267.502.2987 or joralyn.glenn@glencairnmuseum.org to reserve your seats.   Seating capacity: 225.
 
If you're visiting during the day, an excellent place to get a wonderful smackeral or lunch is BE WELL BAKERY & CAFE, about a 5-minute drive from Glencairn, right down Huntingdon Pike in Huntingdon Valley.