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NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CENTER

October 19, 2014 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Paradise, Pennsylvania

National Christmas Center (panoramio.com)

National Christmas Center (panoramio.com)

The National Christmas Center is a unique Christmas attraction: a year-round museum dedicated to the holiday itself.  More specifically, the museum and its surprisingly large collection of Christmas memorabilia offers a look back on centuries of holiday traditions in an effort to evoke Norman Rockwell images of Christmas past, a mission in which it is quite successful.  The National Christmas Center is the brainchild of founder and curator, Jim Morrison (not of “The Doors” fame).

The museum touches on every aspect of Christmas imaginable, from the story of the Nativity to 20th century holiday traditions.  Much of the museum focuses on the history of Christmas celebrations in America, with exhibits on Christmas at the turn of the century; Christmas in Amish country; Christmas during World War II; and Christmas during the 1950s, including a recreation of a mid-century Woolworth’s store all decked out for the holidays, with real vintage toys and wares on display.

National Christmas Center (nationalchristmascenter.com)

National Christmas Center (nationalchristmascenter.com)

Of course, there are also exhibits on the history of Santa Claus and toys, including displays of everything from holiday antiques to nativity scenes to electric trains. Perhaps the highlight of the museum from a religious standpoint is the wonderful exhibit on the story of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  Life-size displays recreate the Nativity, including the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, as well as what life was like in ancient Judea, all culminating in a triumphant manger scene.

The National Christmas Center is located in the small town of Paradise approximately ten miles east of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It is open March and April Saturdays & Sundays from 10:00am-6:00pm; May through December daily from 10:00am-6:00pm (late hours on Fridays and Saturdays).  The museum is closed in January and February accept by prior arrangement.  The cost of admission is $11.00.  Web: www.nationalchristmascenter.com (official website of the National Christmas Center)

Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: US-Mid Atlantic

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

Contact Us

Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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