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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Carnegie Museum invites public to create Gingerbread Village display

HOUGHTON -- Coincidental to the first big snowfall of the 2010 holiday season, the Carnegie Museum staff have unpacked their Edible Playhouse for the Fourth Annual Gingerbread Village display.

Edible gingerbread building at the Carnegie Museum. (Photo courtesy Elise Nelson, Carnegie Museum director)

"We invite the public to create gingerbread buildings to add to our display," says Elise Nelson, Carnegie Museum director. "This year, all new creations will be awarded a prize in one of many different categories including 'most accurate reproduction of a local landmark building,' 'most different types of candy used,' 'most colorful house,' 'tallest building,' etc."

Also, to complement the museum's current Bridge Exhibit, they will have special prize categories for bridges, Nelson adds.

Can you build a swing bridge out of pretzels and gumdrops?? Don’t want to work alone? Come to one of the Gingerbread Building Workshops: Saturday, Nov. 27, noon to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec. 2, noon to 5 p.m. You can also help with the annual repair and maintenance of the playhouse. Or bring a kit to work on in the company of others.

"We will have some frosting 'glue' and bits of candy and pretzels, etc." Nelson notes. "All abilities and ages are encouraged!! (But children must be accompanied by an adult!)"

As part of the Downtown Houghton Christmas festivities, Santa will visit the Museum Saturday, Dec. 4.

Carnegie Museum Open House Dec. 16

The Carnegie Museum's Annual Holiday Open House will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. The public is invited to enjoy snacks, hot chocolate, and the completed gingerbread houses on display, including the walk-through playhouse. At 4 p.m. Chris Alquist, Portage Lake District librarian, will read stories; and at 5 p.m. members of the Copper Country Suzuki Association will perform a small concert.

So, put on an apron and start baking, or whip up a batch of frosting!! Prize judging will be during the Holiday Open House, Dec. 16, so all entries must be brought to the museum by 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 14. Donations of candy, cookies, pretzels, etc., to cover the gingerbread playhouse or to share with others are always welcomed. Please drop them off during any of the open hours: Tuesday noon - 7 p.m., Thursday, noon - 5 p.m. and Saturday noon - 4 p.m. (The museum will be closed Saturday, Dec. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 1.)

For more information, including a good recipe for the "glue," please contact history@cityofhoughton.com or call 482-7140.

Even if you are unable to make a "house" for the museum this year, please stop by to view the exhibit -- perhaps you will be inspired for next year!

The Carnegie Museum is located on the corner of Huron and Montezuma streets in Houghton (former old Portage Library).

Other exhibits currently showing are "Senter of the Copper Country -- The Story of the Atlas Powder Company" and "The Golden Anniversary of the Portage Lift Bridge."*

*Editor's Note: Read more about the Carnegie Museum in our Sept. 8, 2010, article "Carnegie Museum celebrates Centennial with historic, educational displays," by Chad Girard.

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