Press Release

Event Date:  December 10, 2016

 

For further information contact Mary Chrastil, 260-982-0672 nmhistory@cinergymetro.net or marygrace1066@gmail.com

 

 

Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Thomas Marshall House

 

The Thomas Marshall House, 409 N. Market Street in North Manchester, will be open December 10, 2016 from 1 to 4 p.m.  The house will be decorated for Christmas as it might have been in 1854, when Thomas Marshall was born. 

 

The Marshall House is usually scheduled to be open to the public the first Saturday of the month.  However, there are other numerous Christmas-related programs scheduled for the weekend of December 2-4.  The NM Historical Society invites everyone to visit the Marshall House on a less-hectic weekend.  Local artist and historian Steve Batzka and other docents will be available to guide people through the house and provide information about the Marshall Family.

 

The house itself harkens to a much simpler time.  “It will represent an old-fashioned Christmas,” said Batzka.  “People didn’t observe Christmas like they do today.” 

 

Thomas Marshall was born in North Manchester and became governor of Indiana and Vice President of the United States.  His birth house, on north Market Street next to the library, was completely restored and furnished by the North Manchester Historical Society to its 1854 condition.  It is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month, but will be open this December on the second Saturday.  After December 12, the house will remain closed until next spring. 

 

The NMHS’s Center for History also observes a winter hiatus from mid-December through mid-March.  Although the Center is not open for general visitors, groups may arrange tours any time, and staff are available on weekdays to assist with research or accept items donated to its collection.