For a second year, the LeDuc Historic Site opened its doors to visitors on the shortest day of the year for its second annual winter solstice event.
The event started last year by former Site Supervisor Ryan Kutcha: “We were already decorated for the Christmas teas, so we thought, ‘why not?’”
Visitors to the free event were able to wander the snow-clad grounds of the estate, cook s’mores by a fire and tour the decorated estate.
“It was a steady stream of people, couples and families of all ages,” said Spencer Johnson, president of the Hastings Area Historical Society, who tended the fire at the event.
This year, both William LeDuc, played by Jeff Reiswig, and a version of a Victorian-era Santa Claus visited the event.
The Victorians had a slightly different picture of St. Nick than the modern conception, which was largely shaped by Coca-Cola ads from the 1930s. Instead, the Victorians drew from the characters of Father Christmas and older descriptions of St. Nicholas which while still sporting a white beard and round belly, was dressed instead in furs.
The LeDuc, while in its off season, will open its doors again in February for its annual Valentines Day tea, which this year takes place at 6 p.m. Feb. 13.