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Chester County Press

Make the holidays linger a little longer

12/28/2015 12:42PM ● By J. Chambless

The dried flower tree is a centerpiece of the holiday exhibit at Winterthur.

By John Chambless
Staff Writer

There's the kind of holiday leftovers that linger in your refrigerator and quickly wear out their welcome, and then there are the holiday leftovers that will continue to draw a crowd until early next month.

The major holiday exhibits of the region are continuing for the coming week, and the good news is that, since Christmas has passed, the crowds are smaller and you can linger longer. If you'd like to see the beauty of these annual celebrations without the hassle, this week is your chance.

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square) hosts “A Longwood Christmas” through Jan. 10. The gardens are decorated inside and out with lights, lighted fountains, thousands of poinsettias, and decorated trees in the Conservatory. Admission is by timed admission ticket only, with tickets issued for a specific date and time. Visit www.longwoodgardens.org.


The Brandywine River Museum of Art
(Route 1, Chadds Ford) hosts “A Brandywine Christmas” through Jan. 7. There will be a landscaped, operating O-gauge model train display, a collection of rare antique dolls dressed in vintage clothing, thousands of whimsical Critters (ornaments and decorations handcrafted by Brandywine volunteers from natural materials) displayed on towering trees, and special events. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for students and children ages 6 and older (free for children 5 and younger and members). For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit www.brandywine.org.

Yuletide at Winterthur continues through Jan. 3 at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library (Route 52, Winterthur, Del.). Tour Henry Francis du Pont's home decorated in holiday style and enjoy visions of holidays past, including those of the Gilded Age. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the dried-flower tree, featuring 60 varieties of flowers. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $5 for children. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last house tour tickets are sold at 3:15 p.m. Call 800.448.3883 or visit www.winterthur.org.

Hagley Museum and Library hosts “Holidays at Hagley” through Jan. 3. The event spotlights Eleutherian Mills, the original du Pont family home, decorated for the holiday season. This year’s display, “A Feminine Touch,” will feature decorations of embroidery and lace, a traditional pastime for the women of the du Pont family and the women of the time. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The house will be decorated with dried flowers, fruit, greenery, and other natural materials. The Belin House Organic Café will be serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is located on Route 141 in Wilmington, Del. The GPS address is 201 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, Del. For more information, call 302-658-2400 weekdays or visit www.hagley.org.

Herr's Headquarters (20 Herr Drive, Nottingham), has a large, outdoor light display that is open from dusk through dawn through Jan. 3. There is no charge. Visit www.herrs.com for more information.