Victorian Christmas Night Dec. 7

• Octagon House's "A Settler's Christmas"

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The St. Croix County Historical Society will present its annual Victorian Christmas Night (formerly called Light-Up Night) Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants may tour the Octagon House Museum and the Phipps Inn Bead and Breakfast. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students ages 13-19, and $2 for children 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased at the Octagon House on Victorian Christmas Night (No advance sales).

The Octagon House, 1004 Third St., was built in 1855 for the John Shaw Moffat family. Moffat was a lawyer and judge in St. Croix County. Four generations of the Moffat-Hughes family lived in the house before it was turned into a museum in 1964. On Friday, Dec. 7, visitors will see the Octagon House in its holiday splendor by the glow of lamplight just as the Moffats did. Wine, cheese and sweets will be served in the Carriage House and the Gift Shop will be open for Christmas shopping.

Participants may also tour the main level of the William H. Phipps home at 1005 Third Street, built in 1884. Phipps was a local businessman involved in the railroad, lumber industry and land sales. The beautifully decorated Victorian Mansion is now a bed and breakfast operated by Mary Ellen and Richard Cox.

For more information, contact the Octagon House at (715) 386-2654. The Octagon House will be open for walk-in tours with “A Settlers Christmas” theme on the weekends through Dec. 23. The Museum and Gift Shop hours are Saturdays from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Groups of 10 or more may make a reservation for a guided tour on weekdays.

Tags: lifestyle, entertainment, hudson