Maxey House Hosting a Very Merry Birthday Celebration

Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site is celebrating its 156th birthday on Saturday, December 14 at the site from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the event, called “A Very Merry Birthday Celebration,” visitors will be served cupcakes and hot cocoa, and can enjoy Christmas crafts, letters to Santa, and a scavenger hunt. Admission is free for the event and come-and-go.

Visitors to the Maxey House can also experience the charm of an early 20th century Christmas throughout the month of December. Tours that will include information about historic traditions like Christmas cards, decorations, and gift giving and the Longs’ Christmas dinner. Along with learning about these topics, visitors will have the opportunity to view artifacts that are known to be associated with the Maxey and Longs’ Christmas celebrations such as fan ornaments, greeting cards, and gifts. Regular tour admission is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for students aged 6 to 17, and free for children 5 years old and younger.

“The combination of celebrating the Maxey House’s birthday and Christmas in the same month is always a delightful time for the staff at the Maxey House. It was on December 16, 1868, that the Maxeys moved into this house, and we believe it is cause for celebration! We take pleasure in sharing the story of the Maxey family and their home, as well as shedding light on how Christmas was cherished during the time the Longs lived here, drawing parallels and distinctions to our present-day festivities,” said Elana Barton, site educator.

The Sam Bell Maxey House is located at 812 South Church St. For more information, please contact the Sam Bell Maxey House at 903.785.5716, visit the site’s website at www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com, or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/visitsambellmaxeyhouse.

The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, was built in 1868 in the High Victorian Italianate-style as the home of Samuel Bell Maxey and his wife Marilda. Maxey served in the U.S.-Mexico War, was a Confederate general and two-term U.S. Senator. Members of the Maxey family lived in the house until 1966, and the restored house reflects almost 100 years of their continuous use. For more information visit isitsambellmaxeyhouse.com.