Press Release

Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Thomas Marshall House

The Thomas Marshall House in North Manchester will be open December 13, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m.  “It will represent an old-fashioned Christmas,” said local artist and historian Steve Batzka.  “People didn’t observe Christmas like they do today.  It was a much simpler time.  The house will be decorated as it might have been in 1854, when Thomas Marshall was born. 

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 13, 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.