Reconnect with North Reading History on Sunday

The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual Holiday Lighting Festival will take place on Sunday, Dec. 1.

The event includes the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at 4:15 p.m., Santa Claus, tractor hay rides, a cookie walk, holiday singing and performances and photos with Elmo, Frosty and Rudolph. 

You’ll also have a chance to reconnect with North Reading history from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday as a number of historic buildings will be open. 

There will be plenty of warm drinks and fireplaces to keep you warm as you look at the displays and see how the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society, North Reading Minit and Militia and North Reading Historical Commission are keeping local history alive.

Here’s a list of what you can do between 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday before you head over to the common for the festivities starting at 2:30 p.m. and tree-lighting at 4:15 p.m.:

Check out the renovated Damon Tavern rooms

North Reading’s historic homes will be opened for the public on Sunday.

The Damon Tavern, a one-time inn and stagecoach shop, will be open and the public can view three newly refurbished and partially furnished rooms in the 1880 inn rooms on the second floor. The work is being done by the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society and the North Reading Historical Commission with the help of a Friends of the Damon Tavern grant.

Also, visitors can visit the Welcome Center of the Damon Tavern and admire the stenciled walls by Suzanne Korn, who will be on hand to explain her work and answer questions.

The Margaret Parker Archives Room will be open for viewing and you can purchase North Reading gifts too.

Head over to the Putnam House

The Rev. Daniel Putnam House will be fully decorated and feature two dollhouses – a Victorian house and Colonial home. Marcia Cutlip will offer harp selections and visitors can warm up with hot cider and homemade cookies by the fireside.

You’ll also have the opportunity to shop for North Reading-themed Christmas gifts, including maps, notecards, T-shirts, afghans and pewter ornaments.

Visit the Sgt. Flint House

Jump on a tractor and head over to see the Sgt. Flint House where the North Reading Minit and Militia will tell visitors about how early settlers survived the hard winters. They will also have hot cider and a fire going to keep everyone warm.

Check out the West Village Schoolhouse

After visiting the Flint House, take a short walk to the West Village Schoolhouse where there will be a historically-decorated Christmas tree with paper chains and candy canes. A pot-belly stove and hot cocoa will be at the schoolhouse, as well as information about the new Farm Museum that the North Reading Minit and Militia is planning to build on the Putnam House grounds. 

Head on down to Bow Street on Sunday and reconnect with North Reading's past.