In simpler time and place, Christmas trees were not adorned with lights and glitter, but with ribbons and bows and handmade decorations. Locally, during the Victorian era, Christmas looked a bit different than what most experience today. North Carolina has a long and rich history as a state. One of the many ways that this history is celebrated and shared is through the Museum of the Cape Fear. Every year the Museum of the Cape Fear offers a peek into the Christmas traditions and life of the past with Poe House Tours.

The Poe House was built in 1897 for Josephine Montague Poe, who is no relation to the author Edgar Allan Poe. This home housed the successful local business man Edgar Allan Poe and his family for many years. Now the beautiful house is a museum that provides a unique view into the early twentieth century. Beginning Nov. 26, the grand Victorian architecture of the Poe House will be transformed into a beautiful example of a Victorian era Christmas. Megan Maxwell, the education coordinator of the Poe House, and local volunteers decorate the entire Poe House in a single day of hard work. “It is a great holiday tradition. It is a beautiful house — especially with these Christmas decorations” Maxwell said.

In addition to the beautiful decorations the Museum of the Cape Fear will also host the Annual Holiday Jubilee. The Holiday Jubilee takes place Sunday, Dec. 8, on the front porch of the Poe House and brings many of the Victorian traditions to the public. “The focal point of this event is the Coventry Carolers. They are Victorian era carolers and they sing the traditional carols in acapella. They will perform at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The event is free.

The Poe House will be decked out in the traditional Victorian Christmas décor, with a slightly modern twist. “We will also be cooking, in the Poe kitchen, some traditional Victorian foods, so if you have never seen anyone cook on a wood burning or coal burning 1902 Glenwood stove this is a great opportunity. We will also have a hands-on craft for kids; they will be able to make either a bracelet or a bookmark. There will also be a Victorian Santa visiting and Christmas stories,” says Maxwell. Additionally the house will be open and tour guides available during the entire Holiday Jubilee.

There will be plenty of holiday spirit to go aroud at the Poe House this Christmas season. It is the passion for the season and the history that makes the decoration and festivities so astounding. Maxwell shares the excitement that the volunteers and employees of the Poe House possess “I love Christmas! I have this gorgeous house and my own, so I get to go crazy twice. This is an opportunity to share history and the Christmas spirit with the public,” she said.

Free tours will be offered of the Poe House that will further explain the beautiful decorations and Christmas traditions of the time. Decorations will stay up until Jan. 5. For more information visit http://www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf/Events.aspx. Admission to the Holiday Jubilee on Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. is free. Tours of the decorated Poe House are also free and take place Tuesdays through Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Saturdays the tours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. beginning on the hour. On Sundays tours are from 1p.m. until 4 p.m. on the hour