Feature: A Mansion Christmas

Celebrating Christmas with a Seelye Tradition

by Michael Hook

Seelye Mansion Today

Tucked away in the dark recesses of the Seelye storm shelter are memories of Christmas Past.  A celebration of holiday spirit and good tidings were embarked upon by Mrs. Seelye marking the end of the gilded age.  108 years later, the Mansion that bears the Seelye name continues the tradition of the original poinsettia party. 

The storied mystery house was in its infancy when the family opened the doors to the distinguished members and legacy families of Kansas, Iowa and New York.  It was Mrs. Seelye’s vision to show off her dream house and a great opportunity to share the magnitude and brilliance in the twinkle of Christmas spirit. 

Painting by Bonnie Karraker

Approximately 300 attendees arrived with their special invitations on the frigid evening of December 26, 1906; the back entrance along the porte cochere was lined with horse drawn carriages, with bright eyes and eager attendants to see the palatial majesty of Dr. A.B. Seelye’s tireless work in his Patent Medicine Empire. 

Seelye Family ca. 1888-1889

The Abilene Daily Chronicle was on hand to document the gala, and a full page article described in great detail the sights and the sounds of the grandiose event.  This was a special gathering of the socially elite and upper echelon of Abilene and beyond.  Every guest was rewarded with an incredible experience filled with Christmas vision and sparkling wonderment as the enchanting aroma of pine needles and cinnamon filled the air in the Grand Hall.  The Haviland china was filled with Christmas morsels for each of the 300 guests, and string quartets filled the halls with familiar Christmas carols that would make Charles Dickens jealous.

The Daily Chronicle described the event in the next day’s paper, “Such a home is a credit to any city and Abilene is proud that it can claim a citizen public-spirited enough to erect so fine a residence.  It is undoubtedly a great joy and comfort to its builder and his family but it was also the source of great enjoyment and happiness to everyone who was fortunate enough to be present last evening. “

Boxes of Decorations - Photo by Michael Hook

So yet another Christmas season begins eagerly with the unwrapping of vintage decorations and wreaths.  The poinsettias upon arrival will flood the mystery mansion.  It has been commonly believed that the first Seelye Christmas Gala was also the first time poinsettias were used as a Christmas decoration in America.  In the fine tradition of Mrs. Seelye’s Christmas exuberance, dozens of Christmas trees will fill the house and every room, joining the décor are 750 nutcrackers protecting the home from Ballet Dancing Mice.  

Trees and Nutcrackers - photo by Michel Hook

This is the living embodiment of a once proud pharmaceutical legacy, celebrating in the same spirit that captivated this town in 1906.  Soon the bare trees will be decorated by local volunteers, and garland and bows will fill the bannisters and spindles to make this one of the most decorated homes in the Midwest.  Visitors across the country and the world have toured the magical home at Christmas time, but for the first time, the Seelye Mansion will become a living history experience, recreating the 1906 Christmas Gala with the help of the local chapter of the PEO, the home will be filled with life once again.  

During the weekend before Christmas, December 19-21, the Seelye mansion will be transformed back to 1906, with volunteers dressed in time period clothing, professional violinists and concert pianists will be filling the home with Christmas songs that were written no later than 1906, and all the invitees will receive hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, Christmas cookies and a decorative holly for their lapels. 

Unlike the original Christmas Gala, everyone is invited, with a price of admission at $25, but groups of 10 or more will be a special rate of $20.  It is a small price to pay to experience a legendary historical event held by the Seelyes, and a rare opportunity for the public to experience it.  The party will begin at 4pm and last until 7pm on Friday the 19^th and Saturday the 20^th, Sunday the 21^st will be from 1pm-5pm.  If you are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased at the Seelye Mansion Museum or contact by phone at 785-263-1084.

Seelye  Mansion Gift Shop.  Nutcracker Collection

If you are unable to attend that event, but still want to see the mansion in its holiday grandeur, the Christmas tours begin November 28 and last through January 18.  As the exterior lights in the yard and the house begin to be placed, the countdown to Christmas begins, and the sparkling lights mark the beginning. 

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