The medieval style castle of Bryn Athyn’s most famous family invites all ages in for some seasonal wonder, beauty and joy.
The Glencairn Museum, a religious art and history museum that used to be the private home of the Pitcairn family, is presenting its annual series of holiday programming – collectively known as the Christmas at Glencairn holiday celebration – now through Jan. 7 at 1001 Cathedral Road in Bryn Athyn.
Glencairn was built for the family of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn, devoted members of a congregation of a Christian denomination called the New Church. Bryn Athyn was founded in the late 19th century as a New Church religious community.
One special date to note is Dec. 9, which is the “Scandinavian Christmas Tree Ornaments” workshop. Ages 12 and up can learn how to use wheat sheaves and ages-old techniques to create your own ornament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $20, $12 for seniors and students.
Then, continuing a Pitcairn family holiday music tradition, the “Christmas Sing” concert, featuring a section of the Philadelphia Orchestra known as the “Glencairn Horns,” is presented in the Great Hall at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Great Hall. Tickets are $10, free for members.
At the heart of Christmas at Glencairn is the “World Nativities” exhibition, which currently occupies Glencairn’s North Porch, Great Hall, Upper Hall and Bird Room; along with a companion display, “Do You See What I See?: Imagery in Nativity Scenes,” in the Great Hall.
Anne Biggs, a public relations consultant to the Glencairn Museum, singled out “Flemish Nativity” – one of 32 three-dimensional scenes of different sizes, shapes, materials and cultures on view. Several of the Nativity scenes are on loan. “Look at Mary’s golden locks. You look at it and you find things which are really cool,” she said of the inspiration married Bridgewater, N.J. artist couple Karen Loccisano and R. Michael Palan got from Flemish and Dutch paintings of the Holy Family. The Nativity is set in the unusual setting of a 16th century village, and Biggs pointed out expressions of excitement in many of the figures about the arrival of the wise men, an angel that appears to have Down syndrome and intricate details like a miniature cluster of mushrooms in a corner of the diorama.
Museum volunteer Veronica Alt described a sprawling, bustling Neapolitan Presepio to one tour group as a “seek ‘n’ find,” with angels suspended overhead, adoring shepherds, the Magi with gifts for the baby Jesus; plus a multitude of obscure aristocratic, peasant and foreigner characters in 18th century garb – among them a pickpocket and the town drunk.
Borrowing its title from the line of a popular Christmas carol, “Do You See What I See?” explores the meaning behind the figures and artistic representations of the Christmas story. It features depictions of the Christmas story in decorations, published illustrations, advertising, cards and more from the collections of Glencairn and the National Christmas Center and Museum in Lancaster County.
Another highlight is the 45-minute “Christmas in the Castle” guided tours, highlighting how Christmas was celebrated at Glencairn when Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn and family lived here 1939 to 1979. Learn about Glencairn’s stained glass windows depicting the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, the story behind the large, two-piece Nativity painting that hangs above the fireplace in the Upper Hall, beloved Pitcairn decorations, such as a Steiff children’s ride-on donkey, and more. These tours are available at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. weekdays and 1, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is $12, $10 for students and seniors 65+, half-price for Basic museum members, free for Gold and Patron members and children 3 and under.
Hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. daily. Note that the museum will be closed Dec. 11-12 (except for the concert) and Dec. 24-25. Also, be advised that strollers and backpack child carriers are prohibited and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated beyond the first floor. Suggested donation per person for self-guided tours is $5.
To register for a Christmas in the Castle tour, the ornament workshop or the Christmas Sing concert, call (267) 502-2990. For more information call (267) 502-2990 or visit www.glencairnmuseum.org.
