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Operate model railroad trains, learn about a Homespun Christmas with active demonstrations, enjoy yummy treats at the Prairie Sweet Shop, view gingerbread houses, watch a blacksmith operate and so much more at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center!

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center’s annual “Holiday on the Homestead” event will be held on Saturday, December 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will feature an assortment of festive activities, as well as live demonstrations!

The celebration is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to benefit the local non-profit, Wyoming Food for Thought Project. Needed items include: peanut butter, fruit cups, cereal boxes, ramen noodles, and granola bars. Wyoming Food for Thought Project is an independently run organization founded on the idea that a local solution to hunger is possible.

“Holiday on the Homestead is a wonderful opportunity to share the season with the community,” said Trails Center Director Chris Wilkinson. “This annual event is a great way to spend time with family while enjoying the educational and fun activities offered.”

While supplies last; the following is a list of other activities for the event:

• Old Time Family Photos – Dress up in pioneer clothes beside a pioneer wagon for old-fashioned family photos. Participants must provide their own camera.
• Snowflake Carving – Visit the snowflake station and cut out your own snowflake to decorate the Center’s lobby.
• Cookie Decorating
• Ornament Making – learn to stitch a Christmas ornament for your tree!
• Dramatic Diary Readings – from original letters and writings from Civil War Soldiers on the frontier.
• National Pony Express Association Members – on hand to share and tell the story of the Pony Express.
• Frontier Military Encampment – join living historians as they portray the life of several Infantryman of the time.
• Live Christmas Trees – the NHTIC will have several Christmas Trees decorated by many different cultures which will share their cultural heritage.
• Live Pioneer Music – Local musicians, Anna, Rachel and Friends will be playing pioneer music from 11-11:45 a.m. in the theater.
• Hang out with Seymour the Antelope – Once again, the Bureau of Land Management mascot, Seymour the Antelope, will make an appearance. Seymour raises awareness about the importance of connecting children and families with nature and public lands.

For more information regarding Holiday on the Homestead, please call 307-261-7780.

The NHTIC is a part of the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS.) The areas of the NLCS are specifically designed to conserve, protect and restore the exceptional scientific, natural, cultural, ecological, historical, and recreation values of these treasured landscapes.

The NHTIC is a public-private partnership between the BLM and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation. The facility is located at 1501 N. Poplar Street, Casper, Wyoming.