CHICO — It’s probably safe to say Christmastime is a favorite of many people. However, it can be a lot of fun, and interesting, to see how people celebrated the holiday season in yesteryear, beyond the range of memory of anyone living now.
That was the idea behind the annual Victorian Christmas event at the Stansbury Home, 307 W. Fifth St. on the edge of downtown Chico. The three-day exhibition, free of charge, allows visitors to wander freely in the historical home, which prominent Chico physician Oscar Stansbury completed in 1883.
“This event steps back in time,” said museum docent Elizabeth Carrillo. “It’s the closest thing to time travel.
“Obviously, we can’t be to a T,” she said, referring to trying to match the décor of Stansbury’s turn-of-the-20th-century time, “but we do try to set the atmosphere.”
Volunteers from the Stansbury Home Association certainly accomplished that, by way of muted ornamentation that accentuated the craftsmanship obvious from the home’s original design.
Music is also an integral part of the event, which Stansbury Home Preservation Association president Dino Corbin said has occurred annually since 1977. Carolers were present for Friday night’s session; cellists representing Chico Strings, a group director Kim Bruder operates, played in half-hour shifts Saturday afternoon.
Victorian Christmas’ final session will run today from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
While there won’t be the cookies, cider, music and period costume of this weekend, visitors can see the Stansbury Home the next two weekends — Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17 — and it will still be in its seasonal grandeur.
“There will just be the normal tours” of 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day, Carrillo said.
Saturday’s event was nothing ordinary, as visitors walked from room to room, clearly impressed with the architecture, interior design and the historical information from docents — at least one stationed in each room.
Stephanie Rogers of Magalia and Zachary Gifford of Redding said they were pleased with what they saw.
“The authenticity of the surroundings is great,” said Gifford, making his first-ever trip to the home. Rogers said she was equally impressed, visiting for the first time in four or five years.
“I loved seeing the folks dressed up, and how well-preserved the house is,” she said. “Lots of love goes into it.”
Visitors enjoyed greetings at the front door from Nick Anderson, portraying Chico founder John Bidwell, and Corbin, portraying Oscar Stansbury. Both men wore Victorian-style attire.
Once inside, guests heard from docents such as sisters Audrey and Reagan Wright, who attend Achieve Charter School, in fourth and sixth grade, respectively. They had a two-hour shift.
Audrey said her favorite bit of information to share was about the master bedroom that Oscar and his wife, Libbie, shared.
“There is a hidden drawer at the bottom of the dresser,” she said, explaining that “it served as a safe when they didn’t have safes.”
Santa Claus appeared at the carriage house, just behind the home.
