LIVERPOOL - This holiday season, take a step into Dickensville by visiting Liverpool’s Queens County Museum’s annual Festival of Trees.
It begins with the museum being transformed into a magical Christmas showcase, featuring both modern, themed and vintage-style Christmas trees, ornaments and décor, explains museum director, Linda Rafuse. Visitors can also experience the magic of the village of Dickensville, taking you through the time period of Charles Dickens and all his delightful characters, she added.
“It is the private collection of our board chairman, George Mitchell, and tells the story of the Charles Dickens books and characters in the city of London during his lifetime,” says Rafuse.
This is the second year the museum has featured the theme Dickensville. Although using the same collection, the display will be changed up with different themed trees – really, whatever the decorating team comes up with, says Rafuse.
Rafuse says the staff has managed to put together a very large collection of Christmas trees and decorations. Some were donated, while others were purchased at year-end sales and packed lovingly and carefully away so their shelf life is much longer.
The Festival of Trees event/exhibit began in the early 1990s, but Rafuse says at that time, it was just in one room of the museum. Over the years, it has grown to what it is today.
“We have run out of decorating room,” says Rafuse. “So, next year, we take the decorating outdoors as well.”
Festival of Trees and Dickensville runs daily until closing time Dec 23. Admission is free, although there is a donation box at the door. Enjoy a cup of hot mulled cider and fruitcake courtesy of George and Margaret Mitchell and Gateway Insurance.
“It's a time of love and peace,” says Rafuse, “and we want all to come from everywhere and share this beautiful exhibit and leave with that spirit if it's not already instilled in them.”
http://www.novascotia.com/events/festivals-and-events/festival-of-trees-and-dickensville/-3912
