Take a trip back in time Dec. 5-6 to see how the holidays might have been celebrated at two area historic homes— Meadow Garden and the Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson.
Meadow Garden, the historic home of George Walton, one of three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence, welcomes guests for candlelight tours from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
“This year, Christmas at Meadow Garden will follow George Walton’s travels for each Christmas during the American Revolution, 1775-1783. In 1776, after signing the Declaration of Independence, he spent his Christmas in Philadelphia. When the British approached and the Congress moved to Maryland, George Walton was appointed as the Special Committee to Execute the Necessary Business of Congress in Philadelphia,” according to a news release from Meadow Garden.
“ In 1778, Col. George Walton spent his holidays preparing for battle as 3,000 British Troops came by sea to Savannah. By December 29, he would be shot and held as a prisoner of war. In 1779, Dorothy Walton was held captive by the British in the Caribbean. With each year, visitors will explore our American Story.“
At the event visitors will be able to see some of the restorations to the home.
“Restoration work has just been completed to add illusion windows on the north wall. When visitors arrive for Christmas at Meadow Garden, they will now enter the period rooms through the door on the lower porch to walk in the rooms where the Waltons lived more than 230 years ago. In the back room, formerly the dining room, guests will find the Waltons’ bedchamber. Our preservation experts constantly look to the house’s past to understand how to restore historic elements and preserve the home for the future. The better we understand what Meadow Garden was like for the Waltons, the better we will understand their lives,” the release said.
The tour will include live music, natural decorations, and the chance to learn about the holiday traditions of the 18th century. Tickets are $5-$10. For more information, go here.
The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson, 419 Seventh St., will also have candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday, but from 5 to 7 p.m.
Join us for a walk through of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson, at your own pace, as it is decked with festive decorations, candles flickering, and music filling the house with cheer. Volunteers will be placed throughout the home to share information as your group walks through and enjoys the festive atmosphere. Refreshments and children’s activities are included.
Tickets are $10-$15. To reserve tickets, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
