How to go
What: Pioneer Christmas
Where: Keehner Park, Cabin in the Clearing, 7211 Barret Road, West Chester Twp.
Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
Cost: Free
WEST CHESTER TWP. — Area residents may get a glimpse into Christmas past Sunday in West Chester Twp.
The event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at the 1833 Log Cabin in the Clearing at Keehner Park, 7211 Barret Road.
“It’s an opportunity to take a look and see what it was like to be a pioneer and celebrate Christmas,” said Barb Wilson, spokeswoman for the township.
Wilson said the annual event is attended by older adults who enjoy history, history preservationists and parents of young children who want to show them how the pioneers live.
The cabin will be decorated and people will be dressed in clothes of the mid-1800 time period. Participants will also be able to taste pioneer flavorings that include molasses cookies and venison chili.
Santa Claus also will be in attendance for photos. Visitors are asked to bring their cameras.
The event was founded by Mary Raffel, who died in 2009, only two days after Christmas at the age of 68.
Raffel led an effort to save the log cabin, which was previously in Preble County, with the help of children who saved loose change.
“She would be very pleased that the event was continuing and the cabin is being taken care of. The cabin was very important to her.”
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