The Jamesburg Historical Association is hosting the Victorian-themed "Christmas at Lakeview" on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
By: Stephanie Brown
JAMESBURG Take a trip back to a time when Christmas was more about spending time with family and less about commercialism.
The Jamesburg Historical Association is hosting the Victorian-themed "Christmas at Lakeview" on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
All are invited to Lakeview: Buckelew mansion, which is located at 203 Buckelew Ave., for an afternoon of Victorian family fun.
Activities scheduled for the day include storybook readings of classics such as "’Twas the Night Before Christmas," "The Little Match-Seller" and "The Gift of the Magi;" Victorian ornament making; and, at 4 p.m., a visit by Father Christmas.
Period music will be offered during the day. At 2:25 p.m. a keyboardist and clarinet player will perform, and at 3 p.m. a flutist and harpist will perform.
Refreshments will be served.
"It’s more about family time," said Ron Becker, president of the JHA. "(Victorians) did things together as family. They told stories, played games, ate and listened to Christmas music."
The mansion’s décor for the holiday is a traditional Victorian style, similar to how the Buckelews, the mansion’s original owners, would have decorated, said Mr. Becker. He said the house will be a festive mix of greens and reds with Poinsettias and Holly. A Christmas tree has been decorated not with strings of electric lights, but instead, with homemade crafts, beads and glass ornaments.
The Jamesburg Historic Train Room will be open. The room houses a scale replica of Jamesburg circa 1890 to the 1900s.
Mansion tours will be also available all day between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Following the celebration, at 6 p.m., the Lakeview Players, the Association’s in-house theater group composed of high school and college aged students, will present Holiday Improv Night at Lakeview.
All activities are free of charge, but donations will be accepted.
For more information about Christmas at Lakeview, the Buckelew Mansion, and the Jamesburg Historical Association, visit www.jamesburghistory.com or call (732)521-2040.

