The Arms Family Museum is sparkling for the holiday season! The 13th Memories of Christmas Past exhibit will open on Saturday, November 20, 2021 and be on display through Friday, December 31, 2021. This season’s overall theme, “Back to Greystone,” will not only reflect the return to an in-person, museum experience for the holiday season but will also portray festive décor and traditions during the 1900s to the 1930s, inspired by how Olive F. A. Arms might have dressed and decorated her home in that era. As part of this year’s safety precautions, masks are required.
Mahoning Valley Historical Society will be bringing its beloved family tradition of the holiday season to each of the main floor’s seven period rooms at Arms Family Museum. The exhibit will blend Mrs. Arms’ love of nature—flowers and birds in particular—with her distinct approach to welcoming guests into her home. Anthony Worrellia, Memories of Christmas Past designer since 2008 and avid vintage Christmas collector, began planning the exhibit and searching for artifacts throughout the past year. Once the organization determined that it would be able to safely host visitors to the exhibit, Worrellia and his team of volunteers and staff began the installation in mid-September.
Holiday Hours
The exhibit is open November 20-December 31, 2021. Hours for the museum are Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00pm-4:00pm; and Thursday 12:00pm-7:00pm. There will be special hours on Monday, December 27 from 12:00pm-4:00pm. The final day of the 13th Memories of Christmas Past exhibit will be on Friday, December 31 from 12:00pm-7:00pm. The Museum is closed on all other Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Pricing
Admission costs for this season will be $10 for Adults, $9 for Seniors (60+) and College Students (with I.D. card), and $8 for Children (3-18). Admission is free for Toddlers (under 3), MVHS Members, Active Military and Military Veterans (with I.D. card). The admission fee covers visits to both the Arms Family Museum and the Tyler History Center on the same day. In addition to the free admission exemptions, MVHS will provide $1 off coupons in many of its holiday exhibit advertisements.
The historical society will be partnering with WFMJ & WBCB, along with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, in supporting the Feed Our Valley campaign by collecting canned goods in the admissions entry. Visitors may bring as many food items as they wish to donate and will receive half-price admission for Memories of Christmas Past at Arms Family Museum during the exhibit’s first two weeks ONLY, November 20-28, 2021.
Admissions & Gift Shops
MVHS’ admissions area for Memories of Christmas Past will be in the newly rededicated Stewart Media Archives Center directly behind Arms Family Museum, just steps away from the exhibit entrance. In addition to the traditional gift shop in the museum, which will feature many vintage items for sale, MVHS will be setting up a second gift shop in the admissions area that will offer dazzling new holiday merchandise.
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society also operates Tyler History Center and its gift shop at 325 W. Federal Street in downtown Youngstown, which is open to the public during regular hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00pm-4:00pm.
Take-Home Activities for Families on Lower Level
The Hands-On-History Room at Arms Family Museum will once again be transformed into a Christmas-themed experience for visitors of all ages. Take-home packages filled with festive activities and crafts will be provided.
Behind the Ropes Tours
MVHS will be offering Behind the Ropes tours, led by Anthony Worrellia, on select Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the season, from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Guests will get close-up views and the history behind Christmas vintage items and the inspiration for each room design. Call 330-743-2589 to make reservations for these special tours. Reservations will be required, as tour group sizes are limited. Cost of admission—the special tour, access to the full museum, and both gift shop areas—will be $20 per person, with no refunds offered. Other discounts will not apply to these Behind the Ropes tours. Masks will be required. Full details will be posted at https://mahoninghistory.org/mcp-2021/ as they are finalized.
For more information, visit the Memories of Christmas Past website.