Brooke Schmill
bschmill@uwyo.edu
Taking place for over 25 years, the Ivinson Mansion’s Holiday Open House has become a Laramie trademark. The event takes place the second weekend of every December, the event is free and open to the public.
“People make this their tradition to come every year,” Mary Mountain, executive director of the Laramie Plains Museum, said. “It sets the tone for their Christmas holiday.”
Since the event is free, many new faces visit the Mansion for the first time every year.
“Within the six hours, we usually get 600-800 people each year,” Mountain said.
While there are not guided tours, visitors are welcome to tour the mansion at their own pace. Hosts will be in different rooms to explain the history of the mansion and the exhibits.
This year the theme is Wonderland in White. Committees of the museum including curators, volunteers and employees decide the theme every year.
“The Victorian palates are decorated with accents of white, such as white trees and crystals. It is beautiful,” Mountain said.
Independent crafters and different Laramie florists including Poppy’s, Fresh Flower Fantasy and Killian’s will decorate an assigned room according to the theme. The mansion has three floors and more than 20 rooms such as a drawing room, a smoking room and a kitchen filled with many antiques.
In the museum’s reception hall, the Laramie Woman’s Club will be hosting a Christmas sale.
The Woman’s Club will have a stand that sells used items.
“Students would really love this. You can get a string of lights for a quarter, or a pretty ornament for very little,” Mountain said.
The Carriage House Gift Shop will offer 20 percent off all purchases during the celebration.
Edward Ivinson built the mansion in 1892. According to the museum’s website, the home was built for $40,000 with rare amenities like electric lights, central heating, running water and “the most elegant appointments of any house in town.” Currently it is filled with artifacts that represent the Ivinson family, the mansion’s other occupants and the timeline of Wyoming’s history.
In 1921, Ivinson gave his home to the Episcopal Missionary District of Wyoming. The home was a boarding school for teen girls that lived on ranches and needed a place to stay to attend high school daily.
Aside from his beautiful home, Ivinson is known for his philanthropic work around Laramie. He contributed $50,000 towards a new hospital after the death of this wife. Ivinson donated Laramie’s iconic War Memorial of WWI on the northeast corner of Courthouse Square.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the holiday season with the Historic Ivinson Mansion. Live music including carolers and a guest harpist will be placed throughout the party. Guests can also enjoy cider, coffee and treats.
The Holiday Open House takes place Dec. 12 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Normal tours will resume on Monday, Dec. 14 until Dec. 19. The museum is seasonally closed Dec.19- Mar. 1. More information about the open house and tours can be found on the Laramie Plains Museum website
