While upcoming holidays will be celebrated in the next several weeks at the National Churchill Museum, one holiday just passed is not forgotten.
In the lobby of the museum, on the Fulton campus of Westminster College, are three white trees. Tied to their boughs are photographs of soldiers' faces, living and dead, remembered by loved ones daily.
"We've been doing this every year," said Tyler Oberlag, manager of guest services and museum operations. "We ask people to send in pictures of veterans, and we'll hang them on the trees."
People can hand-deliver or mail their photos, and museum staff will attach them to red ribbons to be hung from a branch with care.
"We have three trees," Oberlag said. "We put them up for Veterans Day, and they'll stay up for Christmas."
The rest of the museum is about to be festively adored for the holidays, he added. There will be many more trees and lots of activities.
For Small Business Saturday, celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the museum will offer free admission to those making a gift shop purchase.
Not holiday related but still notable, Winston Churchill's 142nd birthday will be celebrated all day Wednesday with extended museum hours, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., free admission and a special program and cake at 6 p.m.
On Dec. 10, several activities are planned for the Churchill Christmas Tea, set for 1-3 p.m., plus a later event. A special room will be set up with children's activities for those ages 3 through fifth grade. Tea, sandwiches and cookies will be served.
Entertainment will begin at 1:40 p.m. with two members of the Fulton High School Chamber Singers, Baylor Webb and Julia Mendez, singing Christmas carols. Local storyteller Larry Brown will appear at 2 p.m., followed by Fulton songster Tom Clapp, who will be entertaining with keyboardist Scotty Walker.
Silent and live auctions are being planned.
Victorian Santa will also be on hand. The museum store will be well-stocked with Churchill memorabilia, Blenko glass, books and toys related to World War II and more.
At 4 p.m. Dec. 10, the Fulton High School Chamber Singers will give a concert at the museum's Church of St. Mary, Aldermanbury.
To learn more about the National Churchill Museum, go online to nationalchurchillmuseum.org.
SIDEBAR:
Riley pushes museum forward
Tim Riley, director and chief curator of the National Churchill Museum, assumed that position in May. In his first eight months, he counts among his achievements the recent Lord Alan Watson's visit celebrating the 70th anniversary of Winston Churchill's Fulton visit.
Other goals met include educational, artistic and ceremonial events, Riley said.
"I think we're very proud of what we created in the last several months," he said. "We tend to celebrate and create milestones. Lord Watson's visit was an example of that, and so will be a number of events we've planned for 2017."
One achievement, Riley said, includes taking care of real estate.
"We're now competing a full assessment of the museum and the church," he said, referring to the 1600s-era Church of St. Mary, Aldermanbury, which was moved to Fulton from London 50 years ago and rebuilt. "So we're having historical restoration experts come in and poke and prod. We'll have a solid preservation plan going forward."
A new educational webinar program will kick off Dec. 9 with FieldTripZoom, live-streaming educational programs for registrants. The first program will study World War II rationing and is intended for elementary grades 4-6 participation. Check fieldtripzoom.com for information.
"This is a new venture for us and an exciting one, allowing people from far afield to participate in our efforts," Riley said.
The National Churchill Museum also recently paired with the International Churchill Society after two years of planning.
"This is a coalition and partnership with between the museum and the National Churchill Library in Washington, D.C.," Riley said.
Board members of that organization will come to Fulton April 1-2 for Churchill weekend.
"And that's just off the top of my head," Riley said of events past, present and future.
The National Churchill Museum is at 501 Westminster Ave. For more information, visit www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org.