On the first two Saturdays in December, the historic settlement of Rugby, Tn., will come alive with Christmas spirit and celebrate the holidays as if it were still 1880, the year the town was settled.
The living Victorian-era village will bustle with caroling, holiday shopping and much more on two Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10, for “Christmas at Historic Rugby.”
Highlights of the Victorian Christmas celebration include holiday music, hot drinks and cookies in the decorated historic buildings, a visit from Father Christmas and the sounds of carolers performing throughout the village.
In addition, Christ Church Episcopal will present a choir concert of seasonal music both Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. EST (3:30 Central) in the 1887 church.
“It’s a chance to relax and really get into the spirit of the season,” said Teresa Bowman, executive director. “This is one of the most popular events of our year, as villagers and visitors all join together enjoy each other’s company and recall how Christmas has been celebrated for more than a century.”
Festivities run from 4 until 8 p.m. Eastern. Admission is $10 adults, $6 for Historic Rugby members, and $4 children K-12.
In addition, the Harrow Road Café will host its traditional Christmas Dinner on both Saturdays. Two seatings are available, one at 5:30 and the second 8 p.m. (all times Eastern). The Café will be offering a choice of Slow Roasted Beef or a Special Recipe Glazed Ham, a traditional English appetizer, a holiday soup, and plum pudding cake as dessert. Reservations are recommended as the dinner usually sells out. Cost is $30 per person. To make reservations, call 423-628-2441 or visit the Historic Rugby Online Store at historicrugby.org.
Rugby was founded in 1880 with the goal of building a strong agricultural community through cooperative enterprise, while maintaining a cultured, Christian lifestyle, free of the rigid class distinctions that prevailed in Britain at the time. The village has continued for over 135 years, with numerous original buildings either restored or recreated. Learn more about the history of Rugby and its unique attractions at www.historicrugby.org.
Rugby is just off State Scenic Hwy. 52, 16 miles southeast of Jamestown and 35 miles from either Interstate 40 or I-75 in East Tennessee on the southern edge of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.