COOKIES, TEA AND COFFEE were served at the Hartshorne House’s annual Christmas Tea and Open House, held Sunday afternoon, Dec. 3. Shown, from left: Gretchen Dinanno, Merry Eldridge and Susan Guarino. (Gail Lowe Photo)
Published in the December 5, 2017 edition.
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — A Christmas Tea and Open House was held on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the oldest house in all of Wakefield — the Colonel James Hartshorne House on Church Street. The annual event drew hundreds of people from inside and outside of town who made new acquaintances and reminisced with old friends, all while enjoying homemade cookies, hot drinks and a refreshing punch.
It was a festive scene complete with decorated wreaths, softly lit candles and, of course, a Christmas tree. All of the ornaments on this year’s tree were made from fabric.
A gift basket raffle was also held along with the sale of note cards with local artist Tom Maguire’s rendition of a water color painting of the Hartshorne House. The painting of the house depicts the antiquity and beauty of the home and captures the flagpole, stone wall and chimney.
The Hartshorne House, built on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt, dates back to 1681 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Houses. Until 1919, the House was privately owned. The town then purchased the property, allocated money to restore the House and formed the Col. James Hartshorne House Association to preserve and maintain the House.
To this day, the House has been served by a dedicated association, which oversees the maintenance and capital improvements of the home.
