By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Nearly 200 children and parents met with Santa Claus at the Queen Anne-style Fannie E. Bartlett House on Saturday.
The volunteers at the historic Bartlett House at Laurens and North Second streets opened the doors to the public for its annual Victorian Chrtistmas on Friday, Nov. 28.
Bartlett House Events Coordinator Gail Witter Feuchter said the volunteers spent the past two months decorating 45 trees that are displayed throughout the house.
Many people who came downtown for the Santa Claus Lane Parade stopped by before or after the parade for the Victorian Christmas opening.
One of the more unusual trees this year was featured in a second floor room. It was a mannequin with a fully decorated Christmas tree for a skirt.
It was a downstairs room, however, that got the greatest amount of attention. Santa sat in a chair near a Christmas tree as a succession of children climbed onto his lap and told him about the gifts on their wish list. Parents snapped photos on their cellphones.
The Bartlett House is open for its Victorian Christmas tree displays Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. and the first three Mondays in December from 6-8 p.m.
Before Santa’s arrival Saturday at 12:30 in the afternoon, members of the Olean High School Band performed Christmas carols under the direction of Lisa Krantz.
The Bartlett House is also holding a basket raffle with the drawing set for Dec. 15, Feuchter said.
The Christmas trees will remain on display until February, Feuchter said. Admission is free.
