Tree lighting leads holiday offerings at Grey Towers

MILFORD - Grey Towers National Historic Site will once again offer its many seasonal programs in December, including a public tree lighting, Open House, theatrical readings, a visit from Santa and more. A public tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., will officially kick off the holiday season at Grey Towers. Students from Delaware Valley High School will perform holiday favorites and visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy all three floors of the mansion, beautifully decorated by the Milford Garden Club. Traditional luminaries will light the way to the 1886 mansion. Refreshments will be served. Grey Towers will host Open House, when all three floors of the mansion are open to the public, from Saturday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m., (closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31). Open house is free and is one of the few times during the year when visitors can see the upper floors, which usually are used as conference and meeting rooms. Also, on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. (snow date Sunday, Dec. 10): The Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society Annual Tea, with guest speaker Charles Kinbar, President of the Wayne County Beekeeper’s Association, who will deliver a program on beekeeping. The Audubon Society members will provide tea sandwiches and desserts to all who attend. The event is free and open to the public. On Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 2 p.m.: The sounds of woodwind music will fill the mansion as the River Gap Recorders Consort plays traditional holiday music. On Saturday, Dec. 16, at noon, youngsters are invited to become a Reading Ranger with a seasonal storytime and activity. Santa will be at Grey Towers from 1 to 4 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. visitors can watch as the Lost Art Lacers of North Jersey create their fine and delicate lacework.