Holidays at Hillwood | A Woven Wonderland

About this event

A Woven Wonderland at Hillwood draws inspiration from the special exhibition Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles with resplendent Christmas trees and holiday decorations throughout the estate.

Festive décor, workshops, and holiday shopping add to the holiday splendor.

Christmas Trees on Display

Beginning Tuesday, November 24, the beauty of the exquisite objects on view, which celebrate the enduring artistry of textiles throughout the centuries, permeates the holiday décor that adorns the entire estate. As the exhibition showcases the technical mastery and creativity behind textile making, so too do the Christmas trees, each inspired by a particular exhibition piece.

The mansion entry hall will burst into bloom, with a tree inspired by a magnificent, 126-inch-long lace flounce. White baby's breath will represent the delicate, airy, and transparent nature of the material. The flowers will be installed fresh and dry throughout the run of the display. Ornaments of white, cream, and lace and lace pieces nestled into the branches will complete the tree.

A remarkable tree, based on a French wall hanging that once hung outside Marjorie Post’s bedroom, will enhance the French drawing room. Decorated in dazzling shades of peach, pink, blue, and gold, that reflect the embroidered design, the tree will complement the room’s theme. Bird ornaments and tassel elements will directly pull the wall hanging design into the tree. Beautiful burgundies, pale pinks, and creams will decorate the dining room, with a tree that takes its cue from an incredible 1930s evening dress by Bergdorf Goodman. Fabric along the tree will recreate the dramatic draped back of the dress, while silk flowers and round ornaments speak to the Kashmiri-inspired print. Coordinating miniature trees will also be on view in the breakfast room for the first time. Located in the small nooks on either side of the window, the trees will feature burgundies, pinks, and creams along with floral decorations and will be flanked by poinsettias in pale pink and white.

While the pavilion is temporarily closed for renovations, the fourth tree in the mansion will be on view in the staff dining room. In a fun play on its location, the room where Post’s staff would take their breaks and meals, the tree will draw inspiration from embroidered fragments featuring grapes, pears, and other fruits. Accordingly, the tree will feature food-focused ornaments, with colorful fruits and vegetables. In the visitor center, a magnificent tree filled with reds, greens, and white will greet guests with the spirit of the holidays. Drawn from a Baltimore album-style quilt, the cozy tree will highlight both Post’s passion for crafting textiles and the sustainable nature of quilts, as they often feature remnants and recycled fabrics. Quilted ornaments will celebrate the artform as a community task, as Hillwood staff will work together to create them. For the first time, a tree will adorn the visitor center conservatory. Also inspired by the Baltimore album-style quilt, it will feature the same color palette as the visitor center tree—reds, white, and greens. In a nod to the plentiful gardens just outside the conservatory doors, the tree will be decorated with permanent botanical flowers, representing the actual pattern of the quilt and bringing Hillwood’s outdoors inside.

The Holidays at Hillwood

As always, the gardens at Hillwood reveal the beauty of the holiday season. Conifers such as the blue atlas cedar and false cypress show off their evergreen boughs, while holly and witch hazel provide bright spots of color. Pine trees adjacent to the mansion are lighted to lead the way into the holiday splendor. Wreath workshops brings the holidays from Hillwood to you, inviting participants to craft a one-of-a-kind holiday decoration.

Throughout the season, the museum shop is a favorite destination for holiday shopping. With dozens of unique items inspired by the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post, in addition to clothing, books, ornaments, and home décor, Hillwood’s shop offers distinct gifts for everyone.

The delightful Merriweather Café is the perfect complement to a day celebrating the holidays at Hillwood. Warm up with seasonal specials and hand-crafted food and beverages served in the gracious manner of Post.