Drawing: Historic Albany Holiday House Tour, Ten Broeck Mansion Candlelit Tour & Capital City Gastropub
It's holiday house tour season in the Capital Region.
Historic Albany Foundation's annual Holiday House Tour -- a self-guided tour of historic homes around Albany, decorated for the holidays -- is this Sunday, December 13. And the Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany is Candlelit Tours -- a look back at how 18th and 19th century inhabitants of the Ten Broeck Mansion celebrated Christmas in their home -- on December 17 and 18.
AOA has a pair of tickets to give away for each of these events. And to make it even more fun, we're throwing in a $25 gift certificate for the Capital City Gastropub on New Scotland Ave in Albany.
To enter the drawing answer the following question in the comment section of this post:
Holiday house tours have become a Capital Region tradition. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to this season?
We'll pick one entry at random. That person will get the tickets and gift certificate.
The Historic Albany holiday house tour is this Sunday from noon-4 pm. Here's some blurbage about this year's tour:
Two highlights of this year's tour are SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher's home, as well as an art show at the home of David Hinchen. Chancellor Zimpher's three story brick residence on State Street is in the Classical Renaissance Revival style, featuring ornate woodwork and a library whose walls are covered with foliate-patterned fabric wallcovering, which appears to be original to the building.
Additionally, artist David Hinchen's home will be open with an art show and sale showcasing architectural art of Albany, as well as lamps and mixed media collages by Gail Hinchen. Holiday House Tour ticket holders will receive a 25% discount on artwork at this show.
In addition to these two stops, attendees will see the beautiful home built in 1954 for the Headmaster of Albany Academy, a home currently being restored using the best techniques in preservation, and several other homes in the Helderberg, Buckingham Pond, Pine Hills, and Center Square neighborhoods - including one with a Little Free Library.
Tickets for the tour are $25 ($30 after December 9) / $15 for students ($20 after December) -- and they're available online (see the first link above). Check-in for the tour is at the Massry Atrium at Saint Rose.
The Ten Broeck Mansion Candlelit tour is being offered on Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18th at 7 pm. Here's more about that tour:
We enjoy holiday traditions every year, but how did some of those traditions originate? Have they always been the same? How would the original 18th and 19th Century inhabitants of the Ten Broeck Mansion have celebrated Christmas in their home? How did the Civil War change popular Yuletide traditions in America? We'll give you a candle to light your way on a journey through time that sheds light on the history of the American Christmas.
Tickets for the Ten Broeck tour are $15 per person (reservations encouraged).
Important: To be part of the drawing, you must submit your comment (that answers the question) by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly). The winner will be notified by noon on Wednesday, December 9 and must respond by noon on December 10.
photo via Historic Albany Foundation
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Comments
The first year my girlfriend and I were together, we went through the Albany Lights in the Park, which I had never seen before (I grew up in NJ and moved here about 7 years ago). This past year we also added skating at the Empire State Plaza rink. Two fun, festive, and romantic little joys that have become tradition for us!
... said Eric Adams on Dec 7, 2015 at 10:33 AM | link
My favorite holiday traditions are mainly just my Christmas eve routine, everything feels like it slows & calms. We have a nice & quiet home-cooked dinner, walk a couple blocks to the PNECC (church in Saratoga) for the short Christmas eve service, then home for some drinks with family friends and wrapping presents. It feels like it's always a clear, cold night and the walk is so peaceful.
... said Jeff D on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM | link
Snomageddon.
... said -S on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:07 AM | link
Our family goes to a play (whatever is being performed each year) at Sage College in Troy in each year, and usually an excursion to lights in the park in Albany or in Amsterdam.
... said Dave R. on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:11 AM | link
Having just gotten married this summer, I'm looking forward to the holiday tradition that I'm sure will stick for the next few years, which is trying to accommodate all our families' traditions and celebrations. It is quite a dance. But my favorite so far is convincing my spouse that St. Nick's Day is, in fact, a thing.
... said KH on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:12 AM | link
We have quite a few traditions that we follow. The first was last night's tree lighting and fireworks, my daughter and I have been going for over 20 years. Next week we'll go to Mountain Snow and Mistletoe at the Egg for their 25th and final show and we'll head out to our local Christmas tree farm, cut down our tree and enjoy hot cocoa when my daughter decorates its. Christmas eve, my sister will take my daughter and neice to Lights in the Park while my husband and I sit by the fire and enjoy the peace and quiet before the chaos of Christmas day. None of our traditions are big and extravagant but I'm grateful for everyone of them.
... said Kate on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:19 AM | link
My friends and I do a bar crawl in Latham every year the Saturday before Christmas that I can't wait for!
... said Matt on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:33 AM | link
Getting a pint of Dunder and Blixem at Brown's!
... said Jennifer on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:51 AM | link
My favorite holiday tradition is picking out 'toys for tots'. I never want to imagine a kid waking up to find that Santa didn't visit.
... said capgirl on Dec 7, 2015 at 11:55 AM | link
Traveling downstate to see my parents, eating all day, and drinking bombers of craft beer.
... said J on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:10 PM | link
Chinese takeout on Christmas Eve with family while kids eagerly await Christmas morning.
... said Shawn on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM | link
Hmmm... My next major holiday is Passover in April. Looking forward to celebrating it with family from far away.
... said nan on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM | link
Ice skating in the ESP!!!
... said Ron on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:16 PM | link
There are several traditions I'm looking forward to. We have our christmas lights up & turned on and I'm looking forward to driving around looking at other folks christmas lights. I'm also looking forward to New Years Day mimosas! Mmmmm.
... said jayme on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:16 PM | link
The fireplace at Olde English Pub.
... said Matt on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:20 PM | link
I'm looking forward our tradition of sitting by the fire on Christmas Eve, drinking holiday cocktails, watching A Christmas Story, and eating sushi! And I can't forget about eating cinnamon buns come Christmas morning.
... said K on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:34 PM | link
Taking our nieces through Lights in the Park and Christmas Eve - which we spend with close friends and family drinking Café Patron.
... said Valerie on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:36 PM | link
Being a secret Santa.
... said mg on Dec 7, 2015 at 1:03 PM | link
Christmas eve dinner of German sausages and sides!
... said Jeff on Dec 7, 2015 at 1:10 PM | link
Assuming this eventually happens...the first big snow in Albany when you get excited to snowshoe in Washington Park and come home to a warm apartment and a meal by the Christmas tree.
After that the snow emergencies get old.
... said Katie on Dec 7, 2015 at 1:18 PM | link
I'm looking forward to starting new traditions this year. We're hosting family Christmas for the first time, so it's a clean slate!
... said Ali on Dec 7, 2015 at 1:38 PM | link
We really look forward to the day we get our Christmas tree. We do the same thing every year. We start early morning and pick up some egg mcmuffins to eat on our way up to Bob's Trees. After picking out the perfect tree, meeting Santa and the reindeer we head back down with a stop at the Malta Diner for lunch. After the tree is up that evening we watch Christmas Vacation by the glow of the lights.
... said MikeH on Dec 7, 2015 at 1:59 PM | link
Coquito!
... said RC on Dec 7, 2015 at 2:00 PM | link
Christmas and New Year's celebrations with family and friends.
... said RM on Dec 7, 2015 at 2:32 PM | link
The annual Christmas Eve lunch in Hudson and family and friends caravan.
... said Jamie on Dec 7, 2015 at 2:35 PM | link
Getting our funny-looking Christmas trees!
... said E. on Dec 7, 2015 at 2:35 PM | link
Every year, friends from out of town come to visit for NYE.
... said C. on Dec 7, 2015 at 2:54 PM | link
Sleeping in on January first, cooking up some bacon and eggs and then watching the NHL winter classic from the warmth and comfort of my couch!
... said Susan on Dec 7, 2015 at 3:08 PM | link
Eating an enter panettone from Rocco's Bakery on Bleecker Street in NYC and then running some of it off at Albany's Last Run!
... said Silvia Meder Lilly on Dec 7, 2015 at 3:37 PM | link
Giving tree ornaments in the churches, bells ringing in snow, mid-night Mass, nativity scenes. Alistair Sim in the Christmas Carol. Christmas candy. It's a Wonderful Life!
... said K on Dec 7, 2015 at 3:51 PM | link
Lights in Washington Park - also, Meadowbrook Farms egg nog.
... said Ellen on Dec 7, 2015 at 3:52 PM | link
Going to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Palace theater before Christmas. I think this will be the 8th year in a row I've gone. Such a great time.
... said bb on Dec 7, 2015 at 4:17 PM | link
Ice skating
... said su on Dec 7, 2015 at 4:18 PM | link
One of my favorite holiday traditions is decorating the tree to Christmas music. It is a tradition that started when I was a kid, my mom would make popcorn and hot chocolate and we would all decorate the tree together with Christmas music playing. Still this day as a grown adult, I can't decorate the tree without popcorn and hot chocolate and Christmas music.
... said Mel on Dec 7, 2015 at 4:41 PM | link
The first snow in Washington Park when it's still fresh and perfect looking.
... said Kate on Dec 7, 2015 at 5:23 PM | link
Skiing on the 26th
... said The Helderberg Complainer on Dec 7, 2015 at 6:34 PM | link
I celebrate Giftmas, which honors the commercialism of the season. We convene to a house and then members of the younger generation prepare a dinner for members of the older generation. It is followed by a screening of the one of the 5 Bring It On movies.
... said Marshall on Dec 7, 2015 at 8:57 PM | link
Looking forward to the annual seafood Christmas Eve dinner with family followed by a variety of delicious desserts and cookies!
... said AC on Dec 7, 2015 at 9:13 PM | link
Making candy for distribution to my nearest and dearest.
... said Sarah on Dec 7, 2015 at 9:29 PM | link
Cooking with family!
... said Erin on Dec 8, 2015 at 11:06 AM | link
I'm looking forward to watching A Christmas Story, the hustle and bustle of the season, and unwinding once it's over.
... said Liz on Dec 8, 2015 at 11:17 AM | link
Wine, cheese and A Christmas Story on repeat on Christmas Eve with my favorite friends and family members
... said acw on Dec 8, 2015 at 12:20 PM | link
Spending time with family, watching the Christmas classics on tv, and helping those in need. This season is truly about spending time with loved ones and giving back.
... said A on Dec 8, 2015 at 1:34 PM | link
My favorite Christmas tradition is spending Christmas Eve with my (adult) kids, going to Christmas Eve Mass together, and then coming home for a meal and watching Christmas movies. We still open gifts on Christmas morning as if Santa came. I know we can't do this forever but I cherish it while we can.
... said Carole on Dec 8, 2015 at 3:01 PM | link
My husband (Jackers) and I have a tradition of eating a meal of appetizers, making mulled cider, listening to Christmas carols, and trimming our tree. It's our private Christmas. The big one with family will be fun too.
... said Jenna on Dec 8, 2015 at 3:39 PM | link
My husband and I like to drive around different neighborhoods looking at people's decorations, conversing about holidays past and present, with Christmas music in the background.
... said Jess P on Dec 8, 2015 at 10:19 PM | link
I am looking forward to Holiday Homes Tours, I try to go every year and always enjoy touring the homes. I enjoy it with either friends or family whomever I can round up to go along.
... said Sue Hyland on Dec 9, 2015 at 11:56 AM | link