Cockayne Farmstead in Glen Dale Celebrates Holidays in Timeless Fashion
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GLEN DALE -- The Cockayne Farmstead will celebrate the Christmas holidays with a couple of looks back in time.
The historic site, located on W.Va. 2 in Glen Dale, will host a pair of events in December with a throwback flair. The first will be "Christmas With The Cockaynes," to be held Friday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 12. Children in period dress will portray four generations of Cockayne children.
Each child will lead attendees through Cockayne family Christmas celebrations in four different eras. Each interpretation will offer a personal glimpse into the lives of the family over the years.
Cockayne Farmstead Site Manager Kara Gordon said this will be the second year that the farmstead has held a Christmas program in this format. The first was in 2019. A 2020 edition was planned, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cockayne House already had been decorated for the holidays to represent the four eras, but, two years ago, Gordon decided to add costumed interpreters for a deeper experience.
"My interest has always been in living history," Gordon said. "I had a couple of friends who had kids who loved dressing up and doing activities like this. We've been doing different programs where children would represent the Cockayne kids.
"It's neat to be in the environment with the decorations and the kids in costume," she added. "It makes it really feel like you're there, sort of an immersive thing."
Tours will be held from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 12, with tours beginning every 15 minutes. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes. Tickets are $5 for guests ages 10 and up, $3 for ages 5-10, and free for children under 5. Marshall County Historical Society members will receive discounted admission.
The second event will be a pair of concerts on Sunday, Dec. 19, featuring band Faire May. The group, which specializes in folk music from the near and distant past, will perform at the house at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Patrons will be able to watch the concert both in person and virtually.
The performance not only will feature Christmas favorites, but also will feature music from the Cockayne family's personal archives. Not much Christmas music was found among those archives, but the band did rearrange one song titled "Christmas Bells."
"To play it in the parlor where the Cockaynes probably played it is really neat," Gordon said. "It just adds that extra dimension that really puts you in the past.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the farmstead at (304) 845-1411 or stopping in to the visitor center.