Jasper County Museum to host holiday open house

The Jasper County Historical Museum will be hosting The Joys & Toys of Christmas Open House event Saturday and Sunday where attendees can travel through history while also celebrating the spirit of Christmas together.

If people were to walk into the Jasper County Museum right now they would see Christmas trees and decorations throughout the displays as well as volunteers who are dedicating hours of time to spruce up the museum with holiday cheer for attendees to enjoy.

“Our intention is that we will be available so that people who are taking the Tour of Homes can finish that and then come right down and tour the museum,” Jasper County Museum Board President Jack Streeter said. “We do this every two years.”

There will be many activities for visitors to take part in on both Saturday and Sunday, more so than just the tour. Light refreshments including apple cider, coffee and cookies will be served. Music and other activities will be available for attendees to enjoy.

“We are going to have Larry Hurto giving talks on the 1918 Christmas ... It is a 15 or 20 minute talk,” Streeter said.

In terms of the music, Streeter said various groups will help provide holiday tunes at various times on both days. Some of the participants include Barry Hurto playing the piano among other acts including the hand bell group, “Tintinnabulation.”

“We are going to have practically a continuous musical program and it is a variety type program,” Streeter said.

Admission to the museum will be different than a normal weekend at the museum. The open house event is operating on a freewill donation basis. A box will be placed at the entrance so attendees are encouraged to donate what they can to help the museum’s cause. Streeter said the museum encourages guests to also sign their name in the book upon arrival.

“We hope if the people like what they see they’ll reciprocate and give us a little donation,” Streeter said.

The event serves two purposes for the Jasper County Historical Museum. It allows for people to come view the vast history stored within its walls while also celebrating the holiday season together.

“We do it mostly because the board members think we just oughta take part in the community in celebrating Christmas and let them know we are here,” Streeter said.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday to accompany guests on their journey back in time through Jasper County while also enjoying music and Christmas season decorations and don’t forget the refreshments, too.

“We just think it is a good public relations thing. We also think that is a way to get the people to recognize the fact that we have the museum in Newton and what a good feature it is for the city of Newton,” Streeter said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com