Holiday Décor

Music in the Mansion

While familiar Christmas carols such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and White Christmas weren’t written until the 20th century, there were many songs that were popular during the early years of the American republic that we still recognize today.  Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Greensleeves were just some of the songs that carolers might have sung during holiday celebrations. Popular instruments included the violin, flute, pianoforte, and the harp.

From 1811 to 1857, the Loockerman family lived in the Hammond-Harwood House. The mother, Frances, loved music and played the pianoforte. The Loockermans would have enjoyed the sounds of the holiday season in their ballroom or been entertained by carolers strolling by their mansion on Maryland Avenue.

This holiday season we invite the Garden Clubs to create a faux floral bloom display inspired by the music of Christmas from the first half of the 19th century.