Christmas at Ashtabula The Pendleton Historic Foundation is presenting its annual “Christmas at Ashtabula” on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 (5:30-8:30 PM) and Dec.6, 13, and 20 (2 - 5 PM). The theme this Christmas is “Enjoying the Holidays in the UpCountry”. This year's tour will include both the first and second floors of the house . If guests wish to see the entire house, they must be able to navigate 20 steps. Guests who can not do stairs, may feel free to leave the tour after they have visited the first floor. Guests this year are visiting James and Angela Latta (1855) for the holiday season. As Angela takes her visitors on a tour of her house, they will meet 5 costumed re-enactors who are also spending the holidays. Conversations between these 5 visitors and the guests are based on diaries and letters of Pendleton citizens, Ashtabula residents, and historical non-fiction writings of local authors. In the drawing room, Angela Latta, mistress of Ashtabula during the 1850's will welcome her guests and then lead them on a tour of Ashtabula. In the dining room, guests will be introduced to Margaret Adger. Margaret is a recent arrival to Pendleton and will try to convince the other guests that they should move to Pendleton. Guests will meet Mr. Benjamin Perry in the family parlor. Mr. Perry is a holiday guest of Mr. James Latta, master of Ashtabula. Mr. Latta has invited him to the area so Mr. Perry can encourage the other planters to invest in the Blue Ridge Railroad. As guests move into the ladies parlor, they will meet Anna Cecilia Latta, James's sister. Anna and a friend are preparing Anna's dress for the upcoming dance the Latta's are hosting at Ashtabula. Anna will inform the guests about the social dances they will be attending and give a quick lesson on proper etiquette. Before Mrs. Latta escorts her guests to the second floor bed chambers, at a stop at the 13' Christmas tree, guests will meet Eliza Latta, James's mother. Christmas is the elder Mrs. Latta's favorite time of the year. She will tell guests about all the activities they will participate in while at Ashtabula. Once escorted to the second floor, guests will learn about their sleeping quarters and what is planned for the next morning. The house will be decorated for an 1850’s Christmas and the ¼ mile drive will be lined with luminaries. Tour groups leave every 60 minutes between 5:30 and 8:30 PM and only 20 people will be in a group. Tickets are $7 for ages 11 and over and $3 for ages 5-10. Pre-paid advanced reservations for a specific time slot may be made starting November 2 by calling 864-646-3782 or by stopping by the Pendleton District Commission in downtown Pendleton (located in the Old Guard House on the square). Only 60 people will enter the house each night and this event has been sold out the past two years. Making pre-paid reservations is strongly encouraged and walk-in entrance will be very limited. During the month of November, Ashtabula will be open for general tours on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 1 PM until 4 PM. For the Thanksgiving holiday week-end, Ashtabula will be open Nov. 27, 28, and 29, 1 PM – 4 PM. For the month of December, Ashtabula will be open for general tours Dec. 21, 22, 23, and Dec. 26 through Dec. 30, 1 PM – 4 PM. Ashtabula is located 3 miles east of downtown Pendleton on Hwy. 88. Woodburn Museum Home (c.1828) is open during November and December. November hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 1 PM - 4 PM, and Sunday, 2 PM - 5 PM. (Closed Thanksgiving Day). December hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1 PM – 4 PM. (Closed Dec. 24, 25, and 31). Woodburn is located on Hwy. 76, across from Tri-County Tech. College. For further information call 864-646-3782 or view our website at www.pendletonhistoricfoundation.org. The costumes for historical reenactments staged by the Pendleton Historic Foundation were made possible through an Anderson County ATAX grant or through individual contributions made by the volunteers.