Enjoy a spectacular holiday experience for all ages during Brandywine Christmas

Enjoy a spectacular holiday experience for all ages during Brandywine Christmas

Chadds Ford, PA, October 15, 2018 — The magic of the holiday season returns to the Brandywine River Museum of Art during Brandywine Christmas, November 23 through January 6. This spectacular holiday experience for all ages includes a gallery filled with an expansive model train display, a special exhibition featuring a selection of enchanting illustrations from three seasonal children’s books, towering trees decorated with whimsical Critter ornaments, and a wide selection of holiday events and programs for the whole family.   

Holidays & Snowdays: Illustrations for Three Children’s Books

Saturday, November 3, 2018–Sunday, January 6, 2019

Everyone has favorite memories of those delightfully illustrated stories we take off the bookshelves at special times of the year. For the coming holiday season, the Brandywine River Museum of Art presents work by three highly talented artists who have recently envisioned additions to that seasonal library. Caldecott medalist Beth Krommes gives us the beauty of an unexpected snow storm with her illustrations for Before Morning, written by Joyce Sidman. James Ransome, winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, sets a traditional holiday story in the jazz-inspired Harlem of the 1920s with his illustrations for The Nutcracker in Harlem, written by T.E. McMorrow. And Matthew Trueman depicts an unlikely twosome to illustrate the spirit of Hanukkah with his illustrations for Simon and the Bear, a Hanukkah Tale, written by Eric A. Kimmel. Holidays & Snowdays is a glorious celebration of color and seasonal cheer featuring a variety of media, from scratchboard to collage.

Brandywine Railroad

Friday, November 23, 2018–Sunday, January 6, 2019

The Brandywine River Museum of Art’s model train display, a holiday family favorite since 1972, offers something for everyone with its dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. The Brandywine Railroad features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and includes more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small town, a farm, factories and even a carnival.

Critter Ornaments

Critters are delightful, distinctive ornaments and tabletop decorations that are handmade using natural materials. Each Critter has its own unique personality and expression—no two are exactly the same. From whimsical animals—like cats, dogs, reindeer and bears—to heavenly angels and stars, Critters come in all shapes and sizes. Using their imaginations, the Critter-maker volunteers work with natural materials such as pine cones, acorns, egg shells, flowers and seed pods to give each Critter its own unique personality and expression. Brandywine volunteers have been creating Critters for more than 40 years, with all proceeds benefitting the Volunteers’ Art Purchase Fund and Art Education & Programming. The annual public Critter Sale starts on Thursday, November 29 and ends on Sunday, December 2. Critters will also be available for sale in the Museum gift shop beginning Monday, December 2, 2018 ­through Sunday, January 6, 2019, while supplies last.

Special holiday events and activities throughout the season include:

The Polar Express Read-Aloud Pajama Night

Thursday, November 29

7 to 8 p.m.

Children are invited to wear their pajamas as they delight in the tale of The Polar Express and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, from 7 to 8 p.m.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and families are welcome to view the trains, trees, and critter ornaments until the start of the program at 7 p.m. $6 per person for members; non-members $15 adults, $8 children, includes Museum admission.

Holiday Critter Sale

The Critter volunteers have been busy all year long using their imaginations and unique talents making thousands of whimsical ornaments for the sale. Prices will range from $5 to $35, with specialty items from $50 to $250.

Member Preview:

Thursday, November 29

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Open to the public:

Thursday, November 29, 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Carols Concerts

Sundays in December (2, 9, 16, 23, 30)

1 to 3 p.m.

Listen to international opera singer Peter Campbell, accompanied by pianist Matthew Jewell. Free with Museum admission.

Children’s Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 5

6 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy magic and wonder during this beloved Brandywine family tradition! Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy entertainment, costumed characters, face painting, model trains, trees adorned with hundreds of “Critter” ornaments, and Cookie Land! 

Breakfast with the Trains

Saturdays, December 8 and 15

8:30 to 10 a.m.

All Aboard! Join in an exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit with the Brandywine Railroad. Discover how the extensive layout is created and the complicated multitasking it takes to keep everything running. This before-hours event includes a private tour of the trains in action with Brandywine Railroad engineers, special activities for the younger train fans, and a continental breakfast in the Museum’s Millstone Café.

Sounds of the Season Concerts

Weekdays and some weekends in December

Choral concerts by local schools and community groups; check brandywine.org for details.

Free with Museum admission.

Sensory-Friendly Train Morning

Saturday, January 5

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Early access to the Brandywine Railroad for children with autism or sensory-processing disorders.

Complimentary Museum admission wit hadvance registration

Terrific Trains

Saturday, January 5

10 a.m.–noon

Last chance this season to see the Brandywine Railroad and get creative with train crafts.

Free with Museum admission

Stroller Tour

Second Tuesday of every month beginning Tuesday, January 8

10:30 a.m.

Gallery tour for adults accompanied by babies.

Free with Museum admission.

Children's Read-Aloud Tours

Thursdays, January 17, 24 and 31

10:30 a.m.

Children and their grown-ups will hear a story, interact with art in the Museum and make their own creative work to take home. 

Brandywine Christmas is made possible by The Davenport Family Foundation Fund for Exhibitions. Additional support is provided by Herr Foods Inc. and The Frelinghuysen Foundation. 

About the Brandywine River Museum of Art:

The Brandywine River Museum of Art features an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th-century mill building with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine. The Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), and is located on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, PA. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 65 and over, $6 for students and children ages 6 and up; free for children 5 and younger and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art members. Guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, N. C. Wyeth House & Studio, and the Kuerner Farm—all National Historic Landmarks­—are available daily (for an additional fee) from April 4 through November 18; advance reservations are recommended. For more information, call 610.388.2700 or visit brandywinemuseum.org. The Museum is one of the two programs of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.

About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art:

The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites, and important artists. The Conservancy protects the lands throughout the Brandywine Valley, developing new conservation approaches and assuring access to majestic open spaces and dependable water supplies for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.

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Presenting Wyeth & American Art