The Barton County Historical Society is being transformed into a winter wonderland of historical Christmas decorations and nearly two dozen decorated trees. The public is invited to attend “Ghosts of Christmas Past” from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the society, 85 S. Highway 281, Great Bend. Refreshments will be served, and children of all ages may take a turn sitting on the lap of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Saint Nicholas. Admission for this special day will be free for all patrons. Donations are encouraged.

A recent donation of an angel collection from Marilyn Loss is being displayed for the first time, including an entire tree filled with angel ornaments she collected over more than 50 years. There are also display cases filled with her angels, some of which came from Germany which she purchased while her husband was there serving in the military.

Toni Rice has loaned her Thomas Kinkade nativity which numbers more than 100 individual pieces.

The Zutavern family feather tree will be displayed again this year, resplendent with period glass balls. It is made from a wire base, with dyed goose feathers for branches. A German custom, the trees were sold here in dime stores in the 1920s and 1930s. The feather tree is the oldest Christmas tree in the museum’s collection.

Another favorite is the Meyer family tree, with ornaments from the 1930’s through the 1990’s. Mrs. Meyer decided that she didn’t want to decorate a tree every year, so she had it hauled downstairs with the ornaments left on. But she added decorations every year.

The Eisenhower Elementary special services, First Church of the Nazarene, Barton County Fair Friends and other civic organizations have decorated Christmas trees throughout the museum building and will be available for viewing.

Some of the buildings on the grounds have been decorated with lights, folks are encouraged to drive through the village after dark.  Lights will be on through the New Year holiday.

Entertainment will be featured throughout the afternoon, featuring local school groups, as well as other musicians from the area. 

1:15 p.m. – Great Bend High School Orchestra; 1:45 p.m. – Harlen Jerke, pump organ; 2:15 p.m. - Great Bend High School Jazz Band; 3:15 p.m. – First Church of the Nazarene youth; 3:45 p.m. – Brad Shirer, pump organ; 4:15 p.m. - Great Bend Middle School jazz band.

Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the trees available for viewing through the end of the year.