Lockwood Mathews Is Getting Into The Holiday Spirit

NORWALK, Conn. – Decking the halls takes on a whole new meaning when the building being decorated is Norwalk’s Lockwood Mathews Mansion.

The mansion’s many period rooms will be decorated to show the changing Christmas traditions of the second half of the 19th century when the doors on its 2012 holiday season the day after Thankgiving. “A Grand Holiday at the Mansion: From Victorian to Modern” will also feature contemporary decorations and a display of holiday traditions from the early 1930s, drawing inspiration from a letter written by Florence Mathews, the last resident of the Mansion, in 1933.

The Grand Staircase – designed by Herter brothers and considered a masterpiece of domestic Victorian architecture in America – will feature decorations by Danna DiElsi, owner of The Silk Touch on Main Street. Lit garlands will lay the entire length of the stairs on both sides. The large Christmas tree on the staircase’s landing will be adorned with lights and decorations by Lockwood Mathews trustees Maury Rose and Phyllis Rose, owners of the Maury Rose Group, an interior design firm in Greenwich

The exhibit, curated by museum curator Raechel Guest, features decorations that show the changing traditions from the 1850s through 1890s with many different Christmas trees, a holiday table setting, and Victorian children’s toys.

The mansion’s vestibule will be decorated by trustee Victoria Vandamm of Vandamm Interiors in Stamford, whose work is featured all over the country and in Europe. The mansion’s entrance hall will be decorated by interior designer and museum trustee Linda Fontaine of Linda Fontaine Design. Fontaine has been in business for more than 30 years and is an ASID Allied member.

The exhibit opens at noon Friday, Nov. 23, and runs through Jan. 6. Regular tour hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children and young adults ages 8-18. Children under 8 are admitted free. Tours are on the hour, and the last tour is at 3 p.m.

For information on programs or events, call 203-838-9799 or email [email protected]