The Magic of Christmas

As visitors walk through the tree lot trying to find the perfect Christmas tree or pull the artificial evergreen from its storage box, do they ever question where the Christmas tree tradition, along with so many other holiday customs, comes from? The answers can be found in The Magic of Christmas exhibitions at Wyatt Heritage Properties in Summerside from December 2–21.

The main floor of the historic Lefurgey Cultural Centre is transformed into an evergreen forest of decorated Christmas trees. The Christmas Tree Through the Ages exhibition offers a journey through time, beginning with the tradition’s origins and ending in the present day. The trees are decorated by theme and era, and a virtual tour of the exhibition is available online at culturesummerside.com.

In the gallery space of the MacNaught History Centre and Archives, visitors will find the Christmas Card exhibition showcasing selections from the archival collection. This exhibition highlights the long-standing tradition of sending holiday greetings to loved ones, reflecting on its cultural importance and speculating whether new technology may lead to its decline. Both exhibitions are open Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm.

On the first three Saturdays in December (7, 14, 21), Wyatt Heritage Properties will expand its offerings as a partner in the Summerside Yuletide Festival, happening next door in Memorial Square from 4–8 pm. Artist Maurice Bernard will be in his Lefurgey studio all three Saturdays from 4–8 pm to help those interested in painting a watercolour Christmas tree.

In addition to the two exhibitions, the Wyatt House Museum will be open on the evening of December 7. Pianists Carl Phillips and Claire Gallant will play carols on the 1890 piano and lead the singing. Due to space restrictions, and to preserve the integrity of the 1867 museum, 15 people will be admitted per half-hour for the singalong, with each group rotated out for the next. Blacksmith Steve Reaman will also be onsite on December 7 practicing the art of blacksmithing from the Wyatt portable blacksmith forge. There will be special treats.