Victorian Christmas Tour of the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion

A Mt. Airy Learning Tree (MALT) Class

Join us for a special tour, led by executive director Dr. George Boudreau, to explore how the Victorians transformed Christmas into the beloved holiday we know today. From the 1830s onward, what was once a solemn religious occasion evolved into a celebration filled with cherished traditions like Christmas trees, carols, and gift-giving. The mansion, built in 1859, is Philadelphia's only authentically restored Victorian house museum. As you step through its doors, you'll be immersed in the world of nineteenth-century Philadelphians, with the mansion adorned in authentic Victorian holiday decorations. Discover the origins of festive foods, holiday customs, and the literature that celebrated figures like Old St. Nick and the modern Santa Claus. This meticulously restored mansion offers insights into the lives of Philadelphia's rising middle class from the 1860s to the 1910s, both upstairs and downstairs. As a true neighborhood treasure dedicated to the Victorian period, the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion provides a unique glimpse into the past. Come visit and create a new holiday tradition for you and your loved ones!