It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – inside Sands Ring Homestead anyway. Members of the Cornwall Historical Society and the Friends of Sands Ring were busy decorating the homestead, on Monday, in preparation for this Saturday’s Shop Hop and the upcoming holiday tours on Dec. 3.
The two organizations joined forces to adorn the tables, windows, and fireplaces with scented candles, fruit, ribbons, and long pine needles to make the homestead look like a 1760 Quaker home during the holidays.
Mary Beth Greene-Krafft, vice chair of the Friends of Sands Ring, said all organizations are approached annually about participating in the Shop Hop.
“We’re interested in always being an important part of the community,” said Greene-Krafft.
Susan Kamlet, president of the Cornwall Historical Society, said the idea was discussed last year about taking photographs with Santa Claus at the homestead. As Nov. 25 drew closer, the Historical Society requested permission, from the Town Board, to use the homestead, and then began meeting with members of the Friends to formulate a plan.
The Friends will be selling small items such as homemade rag dolls, colonial hats, T-shirts, and colonial candy sticks. Shop Hoppers will also be able to have their scorecard stamped in the gift shop. Both organizations will have membership flyers available.
The Historical Society is inviting Shop Hoppers to register for a trio of photos taken in front of the decorated fireplace in the parlor. Kathy Eastwood volunteered to take the photos. The event will help raise money for the William Fulton Scholarship Fund awarded to two graduating seniors each year.
The homestead will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. on Saturday.
On Dec. 3, holiday tours will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be three take-home crafts for the kids.
