The San Antonio Conservation Society decorates the Steves Homestead in historic German décor
WHAT: The Steves Homestead—the historic house museum managed by the San Antonio Conservation Society in King William—will display authentic German Christmas decorations from the 19th and early part of the 20th century from Thursday, December 1, 2011 through Tuesday, January 3, 2012. As always at Christmas, the house is decorated in Victorian style and looks much as it did when the Steves family owned the home in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The home is decorated by Conservation Society staff and volunteers the week after Thanksgiving, with a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree (fresh) in the Sunday Parlor and multiple smaller trees throughout the house, including a children’s tree charmingly tucked away next to antique toys. Feather trees, a tradition brought to the U.S. by German immigrants in the 19th century, are included in the décor. Antique ornaments that once belonged to Mrs. Johanna Steves gleam from the feather tree that sits atop the heirloom marble table in the family parlor. Yards of fresh greenery and elaborate hand-tied bows adorn the pocket doors and the staircase banister.
WHEN: Thursday, December 1 through Tuesday, January 3, 2012; 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (Homestead is closed on December 23, 24, 25, 31 and January 1.)
WHERE: Steves Homestead, 509 King William Street, San Antonio, TX
MORE: Edward Steves, local lumberman and German immigrant, and his wife Johanna, built the stylish three-story residence on 1.6 acres in 1876. Descendants of Edward and Johanna donated the Homestead to the San Antonio Conservation Society in 1952 and it opened in 1954 as a historic house museum. In 1970, the State of Texas recognized the museum’s significance by designating it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; two years later it received its designation on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitors to the house museum receive guided tours by staff and volunteer docents who combine lively family stories and local history to tell the story of this innovative home and its endearing inhabitants. The Steves Homestead is open daily to the public from 10 a.m. until 4:15 p.m., except national holidays. The comprehensive tour of two lavishly furnished floors lasts approximately 45 minutes; the last tour begins at 3:30 p.m. (It is recommended that visitors call 210-225-5924 or 210-227-9160 to confirm tour times.)
Tour fee for adults is only $6; children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) are free of charge. Please call 210-225-5924 or visit http://saconservation.org/places/edwardsteves.htm for more information and pricing discounts offered to seniors, military, groups, schools and San Antonio Conservation Society members. Free parking.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jeanne Albrecht
210.496.6686
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