It’s Christmas time in November at the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum.
The Coastal Georgia Historical Society is hosting several yuletide-related events this month and next as part of a series known as “Christmas at the Lighthouse.”
From Christmas trees covered in ornaments to Christmas-inspired clothing and jewelry, holiday talks and knickknacks, Curt Smith, manager of the museum and event coordinator, knows this series will be just the ticket to fill residents with holiday cheer.
“It gives us the opportunity to showcase our facility and museum store and fulfill our mission as the Coastal Georgia Historical Society,” Smith said of the series.
The series kicked off Saturday with the Holiday Open House of the Museum Store. “Rather than the usual holiday decorations, we tend to have natural Christmas decor that is both historically inspired and reflects the style of our talented designers,” Smith said.
The decor reflects that of Colonial Williamsburg, Va., during the 18th century. “It’s Williamsburg-inspired style of decorating with fruits, berries and natural greenery. It doesn’t include ribbons, bows, glass or anything along those lines,” Smith said.
The museum doesn’t carry artifacts, but “it does carry historical reproduction gift items, as well as unusual merchandise from around the world,” Smith said.
Some of the merchandise includes hand-carved Christmas candles from India, African jewelry, historical reproductions of 19th century navigation equipment for navigating ships, and a large collection of historical books on the island.
On Nov. 16, the society will host a fashion show and luncheon at noon in the A.W. Jones Heritage Center Event Hall. It will feature clothing and accessories from the Cloister Collection, Evelyne Talman, J. McLaughlin and the Museum Store. Smith says it highlights some of St. Simons’ treasures.
“It gives us the ability to showcase the fashion items sold in the Museum Store, (such as) the jewelry and accessory line, handbags, pashmina, and clothing, (as well as) clothing from the top three fashion retailers on St. Simons,” he said, adding that this will be the first time the society hosts this event, which costs $25 per person.
In addition to the fashion show and open house, the organization will sponsor three informal discussions featuring author Jingle Davis and photographer Ben Galland, as well as authors Michael Kitchens and Jamie Credle.
“We chose these three authors because their work focuses on the history of Georgia…and their work highlights the need to record our state’s history for future generations,” he said.
For the first presentation at 7 p.m. Nov. 21, author Jingle Davis and photographer Ben Galland will discuss their new book, “Island Time.” During the talk, Davis will share some memories of the island during the holidays, while Galland will showcase his favorite holiday and seasonal local photographs.
At 7 p.m. Dec. 5, Michael Kitchens will discuss his book, “Ghosts of Grandeur: Georgia’s Lost Antebellum Homes and Plantations,” which is centered on 94 dilapidated and demolished plantation manors and townhomes of the South’s elite built during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The last event, Jamie Credle’s presentation at 6 p.m. Dec. 11, will focus on the topic, “Savannah’s Madeira Tradition and Alcohol Consumption in the Early Republic.” Director of the Davenport House Museum in Savannah, Credle will examine alcohol consumption of the Early American Republic during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as offer guests samples of two types of wine from Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago.
The event, which serves as the society’s fall membership meeting, is free for members and $10 for non-members.
All event require pre-registration. The series will benefit the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.
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