Christmas at an Historic Mansion – Part 1

One hundred and twenty-plus years ago at this time of year, you would have been greeted at Liriodendron Mansion by Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly and Mrs. Laetitia Kelly. That is if they were in residence with their nine children at their summer home in Bel Air, MD during the Christmas holidays.  Most likely the guest list would have included Dr. Kelly’s cohorts  and perhaps their wives. His colleagues and associates from Johns Hopkins Hospital, since he was one of the four founding physicians of what is now a prestigious, world-renowned medical center.

Note: The portrait  of Mrs. Kelly was painted by their granddaughter

In this day and age, the Liriodendron Foundation welcomes the public to their Annual Holiday Open House. Last Saturday was the 2022 event and hundreds of visitors came to tour the mansion, shop from a curated selection of vendors and for floral arrangements and to see a wonderful exhibit of antique rugs from the private collection of Eric Gordon. Santa was there for the kids, along with live holiday music throughout the day including four women a cappella singers, others playing the mansion’s grand piano and guitar by Bud Loftis.

The quiet changed rapidly once the doors were flung open and visitors added to the Christmas cheer.

I’ll tell you more about the artisans and their wares in Part 2 of Christmas at an Historic Mansion. You will see photos of some of the antique hooked rug collection which provided a stunning background for beautifully crafted gift items which were available at the Liriodendron Holiday Open House.

See you then!