Experience the festive holiday cheer as you walk in the very footsteps of the governors at Georgia’s Old Governor's Mansion this year. For the past 55 years, families have come from all over to see the Mansion transformed into a magnificent interpretation of Christmas in the nineteenth century.

This magical experience is a must this holiday season! So much so, that the New York Post named the Mansion Christmas Tree one of the best displays in America! Come see it for yourself through December 22nd.

Completed in 1839, Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion was home to eight Georgia governors from 1839 until 1868. Holiday decorations reflect the time period, 1851-1853, when Governor Howell Cobb and his family occupied the home. Decorations are made with large amounts of live greenery, fresh fruits, and other materials that would have been available within the household or around the grounds. Fruits used in the decorations were a way to show the wealth of the family as most individuals could only afford fruit occasionally. 

The children’s nursery is adorned with a traditional cobweb party. On Christmas Eve, the children and their parents would “web” the room with various colors of ribbon. On Christmas morning, the children would be assigned a color and follow the ribbon through the maze to find their presents left by Santa.

Enslaved people were only given off one half day for the year, Christmas Day. In this time they usually gathered in the Stewart’s Bedroom and practiced what was historically described as their jubilees. The rooms were decorated with leftover materials from the “public” spaces.

One of the most breathtaking sites at the Mansion is the tremendous 30-foot Christmas tree that is erected every year. 2,000 lights illuminate the tree along with 500 ornaments, naturally made from materials around the house or property by local school children, college students and civic groups--creating this brilliant tree. Live greenery, fresh fruits and other materials that would have been available within the house or around the grounds were collected to decorate the 18 rooms in a dreamy 1851 style. Learn all about the Cobb family traditions on your holiday tour of the mansion--it might even give you a few ideas of your own!  

Make the Mansion a part of your holiday photos. The home will be open Friday, December 8th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for guests to take pictures in front of the grand Christmas tree in the rotunda. Registration for the event can be scheduled through the Mansion at (478) 445-4545.

For a special treat, tour the Mansion in the evening hours by candlelight for a unique experience! Follow the sound of angelic voices to the hidden rotunda inside the house where a choir is gathered around the Christmas tree. The dome ceiling, lined with gold from Italy, beautiful voices making melody and the elegant Christmas tree join together to create a harmonious atmosphere for all to enjoy. 

The Mansion is open for public tours Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Christmas Tours will run through December 22nd, 2023, at the top of the hour and are walk-up tickets! Candlelight Tours are at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., on December 2 and 16, 2023. Candlelight tickets must be purchased online prior to the tour! Simply call (478) 445-4545 to reserve your spot for these festive Mansion tours! Regular admission rates apply: $10 adults, $7 seniors, $2 students/kids. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so why not make it even better and tour Georgia’s Old Governor's Mansion in all its Christmas cheer!