The Geneva History Center will host their 10th Annual Christmas Luncheons, at 12:45 p.m., Thursday, December 12 and Saturday, December 14. The luncheon is to celebrate and raise funds for the restoration of our 18th century nativity, a Geneva holiday tradition since the 1930's.
Volunteers are needed to set a table for eight creating your own theme with centerpiece, dishes, and silverware. Invite your friends to join you and have lunch at your table, or just decorate for others to enjoy. Tables for the Thursday lunch are decorated on Wednesday and the Saturday tables are decorated on Friday.
The lunch menu is created and prepared by the Geneva High School Culinary Class and served by local "celebrity" servers. The afternoon ends with a fun raffle of fabulous Geneva prizes and Christmas carols.
The 18th Century nativity (or Créche) was once owned by Kate Raftery, founder of The Little Traveler. She paired the nativity with a 17th Century corner bed and displayed it each Christmas, a tradition continued by the Geneva History Center today.
The 44 figures that comprise the Crèche were all exquisitely made by hand of terra cotta, wood, wire and fiber. The grotto is made of cork and wood, which were painted and mounted on what appears to be the base of a bell jar. It is humbling to consider that when these figures were first made, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams still walked the earth. Considering their age, and what they have been through, the Crèche figures are in remarkable condition.
Be a part of this wonderful Geneva holiday tradition. Decorate a table and/or come to one of the luncheons. Reservations are $60/person, $55 for GHC Members at www.genevahistorycenter.org or call 630-232-4951 for more information. Space is limited.
