CHRISTMAS AT THE HISTORIC ROSSETTER HOUSE MUSEUM

A Christmas Past at the Historic Rossetter House Museum

Say “Bah, Humbug!” to the credit-crunch Scrooges of Christmas present with a visit to the Historic Rossetter House Museum, located in the Olde Eau Gallie section of Melbourne. Sisters Caroline and Ella Rossetter—the last private owners of the Rossetter House—were famed throughout Brevard County for their holiday hospitality, whether it was a chic cocktail party for friends and relatives at their boathouse perched along the Eau Gallie River, or a warm welcome offered to carolers wandering the neighborhood around the “Big House,” who were quickly invited inside for homemade cookies and punch. We continue that tradition with “A Christmas Past,” as some of the finest florists and designers in our area donate their time, skill and impeccable taste to decorate the reception rooms of the Rossetter House, each in a different era.

On Saturday, December 6, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., we’ll throw open the doors to reveal our holiday décor. During the Christmas Open House members of the acclaimed Brevard Theatrical Ensemble will stroll our grounds, garbed as the denizens of Dickens’s London, performing traditional carols and sharing the stories behind the well-loved songs. Seasonal refreshments will be served, and you’ll have a chance to visit Ella’s Closet, our charming shop full of affordable books and gift items relating to the Sunshine State, as well as period Christmas Ornaments that will look as great on your tree as they do on ours! Admission to “A Christmas Past” is just $5, and all proceeds go to the upkeep of the historic site.

Our decorations will remain up through January 3, 2009. On the tour you’ll see how Link Johnsten of Eau Gallie Florist arrays the North (or Ladies) Parlor in an early-1900s style. The Rossetters were patrons of Eau Gallie Florist, and fast friends of Link, who in their honor contributes bouquets for our special occasions, as well as sharing invaluable personal reminiscences of the sisters with our docents. Before Eau Gallie’s Ascension Roman Catholic Church was established, visiting priests conducted some of the town’s earliest masses in the Ladies Parlor. Karen Arbuckle of Roses Are Red Florist in Indialantic has graciously offered to take the South (or Gentlemen’s) Parlor back to the late 1800s. This was the slightly more relaxed “family” room, where the Rossetter gathered in the evenings; its high ceilings are decorated with elaborate bead-board patterns. On the other side of the breezeway connecting the two wings of the house, we’re very lucky to have the expertise of Kimberly Salvador of Pineda Florist, who is decorating the dining room in the manner of the 1930s. The dining room contains the house’s only hearth, and here on cold nights the Rossetters--and the families that lived here before them--could draw close to the flames and tell tales of “Old Florida” or of the northern lands left behind. The staff and volunteers of the Rossetter House will provide a “Roaring 20s” theme for the Foyer and “do” the 1940s in the Kitchen; Carrie and Ella’s upstairs bedrooms will recall the 1950s and later, complete with the toy Chevron trucks and cars given away at the Rossetter’s chain of gas stations. We hope you’ll join us on December 6 and throughout the season.
You can contact the Historic Rossetter House museum by calling (321) 254-9855, or visit our web site at www.rossetterhousemuseum.org. We’re located at 1320 Highland Ave., just one block south of Montreal Ave. (the east-bound Eau Gallie Causeway).------------------------ Email Inquiries
Web Page
Presenter:
Florida Historical Society

Presenter:
Historic Rossetter House Museum
Location:
Historic Rossetter House Museum
1320 Highland Avenue, Melbourne
Phone: 321-254-9855

Join them for carols, cookies, and punch to usher in the season. Holiday decorations will be up through the end of December.