YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is putting the finishing touches on its annual “Memories of Christmas Past” display. The planning started back in January, and this weekend is the grand opening.
Since September, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society has been putting together the iconic “Memories of Christmas Past” display at the Arms Family Museum. The grand opening for the 16th annual event will be Saturday.
Curator of Education Traci Manning says the display is a staple in the Mahoning Valley.
“We see families that have come back year after year; we see relatives coming in from out of town that make this a destination visit when they’re back for the holidays,” Manning said. “Not only is it a tradition for us, it is a tradition for literally thousands of families around the Mahoning Valley.”
Sticking to tradition, each room has a different theme, capturing that nostalgic feeling of Christmas Day.
This year, the butler’s pantry is decorated to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the holiday classic ‘Rudolph the red nose reindeer,’ which came out on VHS in 1964.
And the dining room is a display unlike anything they’ve done before; it’s decorated to a much more niche Christmas theme, and Manning is leaving it a surprise.
“Not going to give it away. I’m going to let people find out, but in the dining room, it has a really unique theme this year that is going to take people to New York City,” Manning said. “I think people are really going to love that.”
Curatorial assistant Brooke Bobovnyik helped set up the displays. Her favorite part is seeing everyone’s faces when they first walkthrough.
“Just watching people’s reactions when they come and visit,” Bobovnyik said. “Before I started working here, I remember coming here and touring as a kid and touring the arms family museum, so it’s definitely a full-circle moment for me.
Everyone can visit the Arms Family Museum’s display from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday all the way until the end of the year.
