The Trees Come Marching In...

Ring in the holiday season this year at the John Wells Pratt House Museum in Fulton! Friends of Fulton History presents its annual Parade of Trees, a two-week event that features a dozen Christmas trees trimmed with festive handmade decorations by members of local schools, businesses and community organizations.

The trees display a variety of themes such as “The Christmas Story” by the Fulton Public Library, “Puzzle Pieces Big and Small, a Very Merry Christmas to One and All” by ARC of Oswego County, “A Sweet Christmas” by Lanigan Elementary in Fulton, and “The Wizard of Oz” by Kathy’s Cakes in Fulton.



Lanigan Elementary students Joey Blair, Isabella Jodway and Khloe Bergman

proudly display their Christmas tree decorated with sweet treats!

 


Melissa Wells of Kathy's Cakes decorates the Christmas tree

with clever handcrafted ornaments to showcase the world of Oz.



Sandy DeSantis and Kathy King trim the tree with handmade decorations by the

Fulton Public Library's Tuesday After School Crafters, Tuesday-Wednesday Story Hour,

and Thursday LEGO Club.



ARC of Oswego County presents,

"Puzzle Pieces, Big and Small, A Very Merry Christmas to One and All!"

 

Other groups participating in the event include: First Step Universal Pre-K (UPK) in Fulton, G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton, Girl Scouts in Fulton, Noah’s Christian Nursery School in Oswego, Oswego Industries Day Hab Program in Fulton, Towpath Towers in Fulton, Uniforms, Etc. in Fulton, and the Woman’s Club of Fulton.

The parade begins with an open house from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 1. Wander among the colorful trees and historical displays as you enjoy holiday music and refreshments. Bring the kids for the show as Imaginations Unlimited presents the Marionettes Magic Theatre between 2 and 3 p.m.

The parade continues Monday, December 2 to Friday, December 13. Visit the Pratt House Museum, 177 S. First St., Fulton, and choose your favorite Christmas tree display. Throughout the event, the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 7.

John Wells Pratt House Museum in Fulton

A little history about the museum…

Timothy and Hannah, parents of John Wells Pratt, were among the earliest settlers of Fulton. Their son had an extensive boat-building business and transported goods between Oswego and Albany. A successful farmer, businessman and civic leader, Pratt was a leading donor to Fulton’s Falley Seminary and served as its superintendent for six years. He was also a director of the Citizens National Bank of Fulton for more than twenty years.

This historic home was built in 1861 for Pratt and his wife Harriet, and remained in their family for more than 100 years. In 1975, the property was acquired from the Pratt family and the carriage house was razed to make way for a restaurant. Through the efforts of several community leaders, the house was saved from demolition and the Historical Society of Fulton was formed, naming the Pratt House as its museum and headquarters.

The museum contains a beautifully carved staircase, two marble fireplaces, antique musical instruments, early framed maps and an original telephone switchboard. There is also a detailed period kitchen from the early 1900s with Mrs. Pratt’s combination coal and gas stove. Other exhibits highlight local history including agriculture, industry, the Oswego canal and residents’ daily life.

Pratt House Museum’s exquisite marble fireplace

Pratt House Museum’s exquisite marble fireplace

The John Wells Pratt House Museum is open year-round, either by appointment or with seasonal hours. Regular admission is $2 for adults and free for children under age 18. For more information about the museum or the Parade of Trees, call 315/598-4616. To learn more about Oswego County’s history, go to www.visitoswegocounty.com.

Cheers,
Kelly

Play, shop and be merry...

Oswego County is bursting with festive joy this holiday season! Villages throughout the county recently held tree-lighting ceremonies and holiday events to usher in the 2008 season. Throughout the week-end, we toured a few of these communities; meeting our neighbors and joining in the fun!

We celebrated ‘Christmas in Mexico’ with our fellow revelers. While some browsed traditional church bazaars, others shopped merchant open houses, such as Hart & Stone General Store, Main Street, Mexico. Throughout the day, everyone enjoyed the costumed performances of the Friends of Bob Cratchit. Christmas spirit filled the air as people gathered along Main Street to watch the holiday parade and tree lighting. What a joy it was to see so many happy faces as Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted the crowd!

Arriving at the West Monroe Historical Society, we were greeted by the sweet sound of carols sung by the Constantia Methodist Church Choir. Excitement grew among the young and the young-at-heart as we eagerly awaited the arrival of the head elf. Soon enough, Santa made his grand entrance; courtesy of the West Monroe Volunteer Fire Department. The tree was lit against a backdrop of shimmering snow that Santa brought in from the North Pole. Local merchants such as Unique Woodworks, state Route 49, Cleveland and The Bernhards Bay Country Store, state Route 49, Bernhards Bay welcomed guests with an assortment of original gift-giving ideas.

The weather could not keep the resilient folks from coming to ‘Light Up Pulaski’. Santa and Mrs. Claus, of course, were not deterred and spent the afternoon listening to the big wishes of small children. We were welcomed by glad tidings and good cheer when we visited the Pulaski Public Library, which was filled with beautifully ornamented trees and wreaths for their annual decorating contest. With a friendly smile, neighborhood merchants such as The Make Sense Shop, Jefferson Street, Pulaski and The Pulaski Country Gift Shoppe, Jefferson Street, Pulaski greeted shoppers in search of the perfect gift. Selections in hand, we headed to the park where a hearty crowd had gathered to light the Memory Tree.

Here are a few images we captured on our tour:

With carols sung, wishes told, and trees alight, the 2008 holiday season has begun! For a quintessential shopping experience and truly unique gift ideas, be sure to visit your local merchants. For more information about events and shops in Oswego County, call 315/349-8322 or go to http://www.visitoswegocounty.com/.

Cheers,
Kelly