This year, the Camden Garden Club gathered to spread holiday cheer at Montpelier, the historic grand estate home in Thomaston, Maine that is now run as The General Henry Knox Museum, also known as the Knox Museum. A group of six member volunteers and three friends of the Club decorated the War Room of the museum for the holidays.
This year’s chosen theme for the room was a tactile tribute to the beloved Christmastime tale The Night Before Christmas. Originally entitled A Visit from St. Nicholas, this poem was published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore in 1837. It is believed to be largely responsible for the concept of Santa Claus, his sleigh and reindeer, and the tradition of bringing toys to children on Christmas Eve.
Since 2018, the Camden Garden Club has decorated a room for the holidays at the museum. In 2018, the Club chose the petite garden room, making it magical and cozy with fresh balsam garland over the doors and window, which embellished the highlights of the Christmas village and small tree. On hand were flyers for the public explaining the Garden Club’s mission, ways to support its activities and information on becoming a member. In 2019, the Club decorated the larger War Room in homage to Maine’s native wildlife in honor of the state’s 200th anniversary. Guests were able to search for 18 lifelike decoys woven through the Christmas decor. The event did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collaboration between the Camden Garden Club and the museum has deep roots, with historic crossover in membership that continues to this day.
The museum shows the rooms during their annual holiday party and several viewing days for tours.