Christmas 2012
Christmas at Bonine House
Christmas at the Bonine House 2012
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The Kitchen
The Underground Railroad Society of Cass County is a tax exempt organization whose mission it is to tell the story of the UGRR in Cass County, as well as to restore the James E. Bonine House, and Carriage House across the street. Tax exempt donations can be made on line, or sent to URSCC PO Box 124, Vandalia, MI 49095.
Kids and their parents walked through an animated Christmas wonderland room, on their way to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. There they were treated with cookies, carved toys and activity books to take home.
Kathy Ruple of Vandalia, chair of the event, says that it will be bigger and better next year. "We're already talking live nativity scene and local church choirs. We're hoping people will make Christmas at the Bonine House a family tradition.
There was a snowman themed bathroom on the first floor, and a decorated one on the secord.
People entered and left through the whimsical kitchen, learned about the history of the house and a bit about the story of the Underground Railroad in Cass County in the URSCC office, then went upstairs to visit more decorated rooms. Many climbed the narrow stairs to the top of the three story tower at the front, where a revolving Christmas tree still remains lit.
corner of M60 and Penn Rd in Vandalia MI, come to life in Christmas finery. It was a beautiful sight in the evening. Traffic came to a halt to view the home all aglow and take pictures.
All furniture and decorations were brought in by the URSCC Events committee with community support. There was a lovely victorian parlor and bedrooms; a floor to ceiling live spruce in a beautifully decorated dining room; a 'Bethlehem Room' with a creche and a straw floor, and a warm living room with wicker furniture and tinsel on the tree, one of 19 trees in the home for the event.
Thank you
See you next year!
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The Christmas and Santa Rooms
The Bethlehem Room
The Bonine Room
The Nursery
The Master Bedroom
The Entry and Hallways
(and the Donor Table)
The Bathrooms
The Parlor
The Living Room
The Dining Room
Press Release 12/18/2012
Christmas at the Bonine House a lovely success!
Over 1000 people came over three days to the first "Christmas at the Bonine House" December 14,15 and 16th. They came from Grand Rapids, MI and Plymouth, IN and all places in between, and they all loved seeing the historic Victorian home with ties to the Underground Railroad at the
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Underground Railroad Society
of Cass County, Michigan
urscc.org