You are cordially invited to take a candlelight tour of the Shriver House Museum, 309 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, decorated for an 1860’s Christmas while hearing the story of the Shriver family and how the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War changed their lives forever. Candlelight tours will take place at 5, 7, and 9 pm on Saturday evenings November 24 through December 15. Space is limited and reservations are required; tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for children under 12. Private tours for groups of ten or more with advance reservations are welcome anytime throughout the holiday season.

Take a step back in time and discover how Christmas was celebrated in the mid-19th century.  Enter the 19th century home of George, Hettie, Sadie (7) and Mollie (5) Shriver as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas holidays. See the candle-laden Christmas tree in its place of honor on the parlor table as a fire roars in the handsome room decorated with hand-made holiday greenery. After hanging stockings on the mantle the girls set out milk and cookies in anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus on that magical night. While soldiers faced the perils of the Civil War, Christmas offered a few moments of cheer that would help brighten the lives of those at home. Learn how families celebrated the holidays while fathers, sons, and husbands were separated from loved ones during this tragic time in American history.

The Shriver House Museumhas earned numerous awards including the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Historic Preservation Award. The Museum has been used as a filming site for PBS, The Discovery Channel, A&E, HGTV, BBC, and The History Channel. For additional information on the Shriver House Museumor to make reservations for the candlelight tours, please call 717-337-2800 or visit www.shriverhouse.org.