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December 1- 23, 2009 • 10 AM - 8 PM Daily
 Come experience the innocence and charm of a Victorian Christmas. Escape the commercialism and stress of a modern Christmas and capture the warmth and joy of an old-fashioned holiday with your loved ones. The Henry Plant Museum presents the 28th annual Victorian Christmas Stroll from December 1st to 23rd, 2009, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. Bring family and friends together in the soft glow of 1891 lighting as you discover a lavish Christmas at the former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel. While strolling down the Grand Hallway, your spirits will soar as you become immersed in beautiful music, Charles Dickens, much loved toys, wrapped gifts, Christmas stockings and Old Saint Nick. What’s New? Antique and vintage clothing from La France, Jezabelle & Her Wandering Gypsies, and the private collection of Jill Wax will be displayed throughout the museum. As was the custom of the era, the fashions are handmade with exquisite detail and feature natural fibers such as silk, cotton, linen and wool. This clothing for men, women, and children will be accessorized with appropriate shoes, jewelry, hats, gloves, purses and other such adornments. The Sports and Amusements Room will feature authentic golf, fishing and hunting ensembles from 1925. The Parlor Bedroom will display a wide variety of provocative all-white Victorian undergarments such as camisoles, bloomers, cover ups and cotton teddies worn under Japanese silk kimonos; and that tree will be decorated with antique trims including hand embroidered laces, crocheted garlands, silk ribbon and tatting. On view in the Plant System Room will be elegant travel ensembles from the 1920’s. The Women and Their Amusements Exhibit will feature dozens of hand made needlepoint ornaments courtesy of The Flying Needle in Belleair Bluffs, Florida. Pipes, cigars, cigarettes and vintage smoking paraphernalia along with bowties will decorate the Christmas tree in the Gentlemen’s Reading and Writing Room; and the Hanky Angel Tree with over 100 antique handkerchiefs made to look like angels will be displayed in the Parlor Music Room. Other Victorian Christmas Stroll trees will be decorated with antique ornaments, flowers, birds, toys, books, fruits and candy. Children’s clothing of the period will be shown on the grand staircase, surrounded by porcelain dolls and antique toys. What Else Is New? For the first time this year, Victorian etiquette rules will be placed throughout the museum and will most likely inspire conversation and amusement from Stroll visitors. At the Victorian Christmas Stroll, the essence of an old-fashioned holiday is observed and honored as Tampa’s most popular family tradition. Complimentary spiced cider and savory cookies will be served on the veranda every day, and each evening carolers will perform music for your merriment. Visitors are invited to sing with the carolers in front of the 18-foot tree in the hallway. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Discount Days are December 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15 when admissions are reduced to $6 for adults and $3 for children. Group tours are welcome: please make reservations for parties of 20 or more with Sally Shifke, Museum Relations Coordinator, (813) 258-7302. The Museum Store has a huge selection of merchandise, from gorgeous ornaments to silver serving pieces and exquisite holiday accessories. The Museum Store also offers books, fragrances, jewelry, children’s toys, stationery, and home accessories. Enjoy shopping in a unique Victorian atmosphere: the Museum Store is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily and no admission is required. Proceeds from the Victorian Christmas Stroll fund significant museum restoration and preservation projects, as well as educational programming. Underwriters of the Victorian Christmas Stroll are the Bank of Florida, The Beck Group, Jacarlene Foundation, Marine Towing of Tampa, LLC, TECO Energy, New York Yankees Tampa Foundation and United Healthcare Children's Foundation.
An overview of what visitors will experience at the Museum during the Victorian Christmas Stroll. Length 3:54
Each evening from 6:00 pm to 7:45pm, carolers raise their voices (and your spirits) to the joys of the season. Length 1:36
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