In December, the Voelker Orth decorates the house, evoking the days when the Voelker and Orth families celebrated the season with friends. Come in from the cold and visit!
 
There is also an exhibition of folk nativities drawn from the collection of Dr. Anthony Amodia.  Nativity scenes, also known as crèches, are a Christmas tradition, predominantly in Catholic homes, as a pictorial celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. By the end of the 19th century nativity scenes were produced on a scale appropriate for home display, marking the holidays and inviting family discussion about beliefs and values. Crafted by artisans, mass-produced or home-made, their popularity has endured.  Artists and artisans around the world continue to create new artistic interpretations of this Christian religious event. 
 
Dr. Anthony Amodia has generously provided a loan from his collection for this exhibition. His interest in collecting dates back to his childhood in Queens, when local Flushing department stores offered individual chalk-ware figures for purchase – priced at an amount within a child's allowance.  Dr. Amodia will offer a talk about his collecting and the Nativity Tradition at 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 10th, at 2:00pm