Mansion gussied up: Dress forms' holiday party attire made with fresh greenery, baubles

PETERSBURG — If you missed Centre Hill Museum's Holiday Showcase over the weekend, you're in luck. Rooms decorated in holiday cheer by area designers, businesses, garden clubs and a synagogue will be available to admire until the end of the month.

During tours, docents answer questions about the home constructed in 1823 by Robert Bolling IV. It features original and period furnishings and has been the site for films such as “Lincoln” and the production “Mercy Street.”

Tradition meets creative fashionistas in the South Parlor. Tourists will see natural elements and traditional holiday colors and lights used to create beautiful holiday attire on dress forms and mannequins from Centre Hill's collections.

Sherry Styve, Pauline Elliott, Cockade City Garden Club members, adorned them as "stylish" Christmas trees with greenery and baubles to create a festive holiday party atmosphere. Former first lady Michelle Obama featured this idea at The White House for Christmas during her husband's administration.

"We had a great time creating our ladies," Styve said. "It was Pauline's fabulous idea. I was along for the ride."

Joyce Tucker loves to decorate for Christmas and shared her time and talent in two bedrooms and the kitchen.

"When growing up, my mom would always decorate and win our neighborhood contest," Tucker said. "I guess that's where I get my decorating talent from."

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Congregation Brith Achim sponsored the library/study. The room's theme is the presentation of Hanukkah as celebrated with the traditional menorah and dreidel. It also includes various types of Hanukkah decorations found in Jewish homes.

"It is with great honor that amidst a busy season, I am back at Centre Hill for the holidays," Designer and Blogger Cody Hanshew said. "I couldn't be more thrilled about what I have put together for you to enjoy."

Hanshew loves to tell stories in his designs/decor. This year, he tells the story of the kings that journeyed to Bethlehem with gifts for a newborn child. He collected pieces from across the country all year long to bring this story to life.

"I encourage you to learn more about the history of this story by checking out the placard next to the tree," Hanshew said. "My hope is that you notice nods to this popular Christmas story throughout the room and that you remember the reason we 'bear gifts' and 'travel far' this season."

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The dining room was decorated by Ron Beatty who owns Designs By Ron in Richmond. The inspiration for the space is his love of elegance and a joyful atmosphere made perfect by sharing a delicious meal with good friends and family.

"It's what the holidays are all about," Beatty said.

Susan Seward, Sussex County Board of Supervisors Chairman, got in on the action. Seward's first word was "flower," not "mama or daddy". She nourishes her soul and her love of flowers by making arrangements for weddings and events. You may spot her at Boulevard Flower Gardens where she is employed during the holiday season to make fresh wreaths and garlands.

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Centre Hill Museum Holiday Showcase 2022 designers:

• Front Porch "Elegant snowy morning!": Cody Hanshew, How I See It Blog, LLC

• Main Hall: Cockade City Garden Club

• North Parlor "We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.": Cody Hanshew, How I See It Blog, LLC

• South Parlor: Pauline Elliott and Sherry Styve

• Dining Room: Ron Beatty, Designs by Ron

• Study: Congregation Brith Achim

• Main staircase and landings: Cockade City Garden Club

• Mrs. Davis’s bedroom: Joyce Tucker

• Mrs. Davis's bathroom "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady": Pauline Elliott

• South Family Parlor "The love of gardening is a seed that, once sown never dies": Susan Seward

• Mr. Davis's bedroom: Joyce Tucker

• Ambassador's bedroom "Twas the Night Before Christmas": Pauline Elliott

• Trunk room: Bob Rodger and Mike Street

• North Family Parlor "A nostalgic family Christmas": Petersburg Garden Club

• North Porch [facing Henry Street]: Cockade City Garden Club

• Kitchen: Maryanne Davis and Joyce Tucker

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Petersburg historic home

Originally, Centre Hill was designed in Federal-style. In 1839, Bolling’s son Robert Buckner Bolling inherited the property and modified it to the Greek Revival style in 1850. Centre Hill remained a lavish Petersburg residence until 1936.

Presidents John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, and William Howard Taft each visited Centre Hill, and, in 1864, Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet made Centre Hill his headquarters, as did Union Major General George L. Hartsuff on April 5, 1865.

'Centre Hill Under the Lights'

During Petersburg's Friday for the Arts! on December 9, "Centre Hill Under the Lights" will be held at the museum from 6 - 9 p.m. Attendees will enjoy holiday music, light appetizers as well as one specialty drink or glass of wine which is included in the ticket price of $15 per person. Tickets are available at Centre Hill Museum, Blandford Church Reception Center and online at eventbrite.com.

On Saturdays and Sundays through December 31, Petersburg residents will not be charged admission to see the Holiday Showcase, according to Joanne Williams, Director of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations.

Historic Centre Hill Museum is located at 1 Centre Hill Court in Old Towne. It will be open for $10 tours throughout the month of December on Saturdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 - 4 p.m. Tours are every hour on the hour. The last tour begins at 3 p.m. Visit petersburgva.gov for more information.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg event Centre Hill Museum Holiday Showcase: Mighty pretty