Courtesy of the Moore-Lindsay
Historical Museum
The Moore-Lindsay Historical Museum will hold a Victorian Christmas Open House from 6 to 10p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in Norman. Admission to the open house is free.

Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet, but that doesn’t stop some from getting into the Christmas spirit. The Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum will hold a Victorian Christmas Open House from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in Norman.

Angela Gutierrez, museum curator, said the open house will be a good opportunity for those wanting to enthrall themselves in the Victorian era, roughly defined by the reign of Queen Victoia in the last half of the 19th century.

“The event will be great for everyone to travel through time and have fun while you’re at it,” Gutierrez said.

Guests will be given the opportunity to tour the house, built in 1899,  showcasing true-to-life elements and aspects from the Victorian age with a holiday twist. The entire house will be decorated with Christmas décor and lighting, setting the holiday atmosphere for all in attendance. Gutierrez said Christmas carolers and music would be present as well.

The Victorian Christmas Open House will be in collaboration with the 2nd Fridays Art Circuit that is also on Dec. 9, located nearby in downtown Norman. For guests planning to attend both events, carriage rides will be offered back and forth.

In addition to the tour, carolers and carriage rides, guests will be offered many snacks and drinks.

“The event is free, the carriage rides are free, everything is free unless you would like to purchase things from our gift shop,” Gutierrez said. “This event acts as our winter fundraiser so donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated.”

Courtesy of the Moore-Lindsay
Historical Museum
The open house event will be in collaboration with the 2nd Friday Art Circuit in Downtown Norman scheduled for the same night. Carriage rides will be offered between event locations.

In an effort to raise money for the winter fundraiser, Gutierrez said there would be a jewelry vendor present as well as various raffles and a wine tasting exhibit.

The Christmas Open House also marks the unveiling of renovations done to the second floor of the museum. With work dating back to 2003, the Moore-Lindsay house has done its best to stay true-to-form.

“The Moore-Lindsay Historical House has gone through thick and thin, years of weather and time, taking away from its beauty,” Gutierrez said. “The Christmas Open House will be a fantastic time to show off what work has been done.”

According to the museum’s website, the city of Norman bought the Moore-Lindsay house in 1973 and arranged funding to restore the house to its unique form. A form so unique that it simply can’t be replicated in other “normal” museums, said Assistant Curator Erin Smith.

“Unlike the cold, sterile environment of most modern day museums, house museums give people the opportunity to explore the history of life through objects displayed within their original spacial context,” Smith said.

Even with the unveiling of the second floor during the Christmas Open House, Gutierrez said, the first floor is set to undergo renovations of its own next fall. The home’s entire process of renovation will then be complete.

The Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum is located on 508 N. Peters in Norman. For more information regarding the Christmas Open House or the museum in general, visit their website at www.normanhistorichouse.org.

To contact Morgan Beard, email staffwriter2@occc.edu.