Continuing its annual holiday tradition, the Taft Museum of Art presents Antique Christmas, a lavish old-fashioned display of Christmas as it was lived a century ago. Decorations and toys created in the 19th and early 20th centuries adorn the historic house.

As visitors stoll through the rooms, they will find German trees made of wire and goose feathers and hung with colorful, sparkling ornaments made primarily in America and Europe. The ornaments were created from many different materials including paper, blown glass, cotton, celluloid, and tinsel, shaped into fanciful forms such as birds, animals, angels, and trains. A 1920s dollhouse, and early 20th-century German putz (a traditional miniature village or nativity scene), candy containers and gift boxes, and antique Santa figures and toys are features along with the decorated trees.

The Taft's holiday celebration is topped off with garlands and lights in the halls and on the exterior of the historic house and an antique silver, china, and crystal holiday party setting on the Dining Room table.

Exhibition Sponsors
Helen G., Henry F. & Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

Fine Arts Fund Partner

Feather Tree with End-of-Day Ornaments, about 1900.
Collection of Kathy and Greg (Stewart) Gregory

Download a coupon for $10 off a ticket to The Nutcracker!