Historic Rock Ford is offering visitors an opportunity to party like it's 1899.

The nationally recognized landmark, located at 881 Rock Ford Road, Lancaster, will host Yuletide tours on Saturday, Dec. 27; Sunday, Dec. 28; and Monday, Dec. 29. Attendees will be able to enter the Edward Hand Mansion at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 and 2, 3, 4, and 5 p.m. on Dec. 29.

"I think it's one of our most unique events of the year," executive director Christina McSherry said. "We do living history events throughout the year, but this particular event always feels very immersive. The house really comes to life, and you really get a feel for what Yuletide celebrations would have been like in the 18th century."

The event will be held snow or shine. There is an admission charge. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.historicrockford.org/special-events and at the door. "Proceeds directly go back to benefit Rock Ford, both with upkeep and operating as well as our educational programming," McSherry said.

McSherry asks that visitors begin their tour at the house. "The way it's set up is you start at the house and then you go to the barn," she said. "Tickets are available right where you came in at the back of the house."

Popcorn, hot dogs, and seasonal goodies such as hot chocolate and cider will be on sale.

"The volunteers help bring it to life," said McSherry. "The house will be filled with volunteers in period costume, really sort of bringing the activities of an 18th-century Yuletide to life."

Musicians Faith and Mercy Martin will perform in the gold parlor using a harpsichord and violin. "It will be chamber music from the period, including some traditional carols from Yuletide," McSherry said.

There will be a new wrinkle added to Yuletide, which Historic Rock Ford has been hosting in its current form for two decades. "We're going to open up the first floor of our 1780 barn this year for the first time during the Yuletide celebration," McSherry said. "There will be children's activities there. Forbes Road Frolic, which plays early American music, will be performing in there as well, and it'll be open for concessions. Weather permitting, we have some fire pits and patio lights that'll be out so that people can enjoy the grounds and the atmosphere."

There is a reason Historic Rock Ford holds its Christmas get-together after Dec. 25. "Modern Christmas is typically celebrated from Thanksgiving until Christmas, though we push it a little earlier every year," said McSherry. "In the 18th century, Christmas festivities wouldn't have started until Dec. 25, and then they would have continued for 12 nights, and that's where we get the 12 days of Christmas. They would have been celebrating from the 25th to Jan 6. We place our event in that period. There's a lot of downtime between Christmas and New Year's, and you want to keep the holiday going, so it's nice for visitors in that way, but it also helps us help teach a little bit about what Christmas would have been like in the 18th century."

Historic Rock Ford is open April through October every year for regular house tours. "Programs typically start in April and go into November," said McSherry. "During the season, there will be lectures and history events, things like that. We have a lot planned for next year because it's America 250th anniversary."

Historic Rock Ford consists of the 1794 General Edward Hand Mansion. Hand was a doctor and George Washington's adjutant general during the Revolutionary War. "He built this house after the war," McSherry said. "The house itself is in 90% original condition."

It is on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the National Building Survey. Historic Rock Ford also consists of the John J. Snyder Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts, which opened in 2021 and features a nationally recognized collection of decorative arts made in Lancaster between 1750 and 1820. The gallery will not be open during the Yuletide celebration.

"It's a little bit of a hidden gem back here," said McSherry. "(Lancaster County Central Park) being around us really helped preserve the landscape and the house, but it also means we're sort of hidden at times. It's really nice when folks come out and can really see what we have to offer."