MONTEREY, Mass. — Presented by antiques expert Lorraine German, Dressing the Christmas Tree is a look at both antique and vintage Christmas decorations. 

 

The event will be held on Nov. 21 from 4 to 5:30 pm. $40 per person for members and $50 per person for non-members. Includes a wine and cheese reception after the program.

 

Lorraine will discuss the history of adorning holiday greens from their pagan beginnings through the mid-20th century and will provide examples of ornaments from her own collection. 

 

An avid collector of Christmas antiques for almost 40 years, Lorraine's interest began with an early 20th century German Santa and sleigh that she inherited from her grandparents. Christmas is Lorraine's favorite season and each year she decorates every room of her home with an assortment of treasured family heirlooms, early decorations and contemporary folk art.

 

Lorraine German and her late husband Steve established Mad River Antiques, LLC in 2001, with a concentration on 18th, 19th, and 20th century Americana and decorative arts. She has been a guest speaker at antiques shows, museums, and antiques organizations, where she has covered a variety of topics, including stoneware, redware, quilts, Christmas ornaments, and Santa Claus. Lorraine is also the author of "Soil and Shul in the Berkshires: The Untold Story of Sandisfield's Jewish Farm Colony," published in 2018.

 

At the conclusion of the program, attendees will be invited to an intimate wine and cheese reception, where you can mix and mingle, and ask questions of Lorraine. The program and reception will last approximately 75-90 minutes.

 

Due to limited seating, pre-registration for this program is required.

 

Guests can register on the Museum website at https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/dressing-the-christmas-tree/