Steves Homestead with period Victorian-style Christmas decorations (San Antonio, Anton: house, rated)

[Merovee]

Special to the Southside Reporter

The Steves Homestead — the historic house museum managed by the San Antonio Conservation Society in King William —will display authentic German Christmas decorations from the late 1800s from Dec. 4-Jan. 2.

As always at Christmas, the home is decorated in Victorian style, as closely as possible to when the Steves family owned the home in the 1800s.

The mansion is decorated by Conservation Society staff and volunteers the week after Thanksgiving, with one large Christmas tree (fresh) in the Sunday Parlor and multiple smaller trees throughout the house, including a children's tree.

There are feather trees in the décor, which is a tradition brought to the U.S. by German immigrants in the 19th century. Fresh greenery adorns the pocket doors and up the banister.

The Steves Homestead will display the decorations from 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Dec. 4-Jan. 2 at Steves Homestead, 509 King William St. The tour fee for adults is $6; children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) are free of charge. Call 225-5924 to confirm tour times.

This is going to be quite simple and elegant.

If you go on opening day and see one of the Steve's family members, most likely they are going to visit too but maybe not during public hours, but if, be sure to thank them for all the charity work they are involved with in San Antonio.