THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CENTER MUSEUM
The story of the National Christmas Center is the story of an eight-year-old little boy named Jim who was touched by the Lord with a mission: to tell the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Savior. Jim’s heart and passion grew throughout the years as he amassed a world-class exhibit that told the real story of Christmas throughout the centuries. From St. Nicholas and St. Francis, with now over 1,250 nativities from around the world, to Tudor Towne and amazing storefronts representing the town of Columbia, Pennsylvania, all bring awe and wonder to the little boy and little girl in each of us.
Facing the closing of his world renowned and beloved National Christmas Center, Jim asked the Lord to bring another to carry on the dream and keep the collection together in Lancaster County. That prayer was answered by David Abel, Steward of Stone Gables Estate. His mission is to bring God all honor, all glory and praise through all the endeavors of Stone Gables Estate. Thus, the National Christmas Center was a perfect fit. David likes to say, “If you can’t write the script, then God’s at work,” and nobody could have written the script of the National Christmas Center at Stone Gables Estate.
Jim and David now work together to reconstruct this national treasure expressing the true meaning of Christmas with the world. It is their prayer that every person visiting the National Christmas Center will truly experience the living Lord through the sights, sounds and scents of Christmas. Celebrate with us the birth of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,
David Z. Abel
& Jim Morrison
The story of the National Christmas Center Museum
The story of the National Christmas Center is the story of an eight-year-old little boy named Jim who was touched by the Lord with a mission: to tell the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Savior. Jim’s heart and passion grew throughout the years as he amassed a world-class exhibit that told the real story of Christmas throughout the centuries. From St. Nicholas and St. Francis, with now over 1,250 nativities from around the world, to Tudor Towne and amazing storefronts representing the town of Columbia, Pennsylvania, all bring awe and wonder to the little boy and little girl in each of us.
Facing the closing of his world renowned and beloved National Christmas Center, Jim asked the Lord to bring another to carry on the dream and keep the collection together in Lancaster County. That prayer was answered by David Abel, Steward of Stone Gables Estate. His mission is to bring God all honor, all glory, and praise through all the endeavors of Stone Gables Estate; thus, the National Christmas Center was a perfect fit. David likes to say, “If you can’t write the script, then God’s at work,” and nobody could have written the script of the National Christmas Center at Stone Gables Estate.
Jim and David now work together to reconstruct this national treasure expressing the true meaning of Christmas with the world. It is their prayer that every person visiting the National Christmas Center will truly experience the living Lord through the sights, sounds and scents of Christmas. Celebrate with us the birth of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,
David Z. Abel
& Jim Morrison
Open to the public select dates in November and December.
Please call for more information 717-902-9791
17 Foot-Tall Stores and Storefronts
Explore this Treasure-Trove of the Celebration of the Birth of Christ - CHRISTMAS!
17 Foot-Tall Stores and Storefronts
Explore this Treasure-Trove of the Celebration of the Birth of Christ - CHRISTMAS!
Collections To See
The National Christmas Center Experience
Collections To See
The National Christmas Center Experience
- Over 18,000 square feet of nostalgic Christmas décor in lights, trees, stores, and more.
- 17-foot-tall buildings replicate the streets of Columbia, Pennsylvania decked out in 1950’s Christmas themes.
- Sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas tantalize the senses and awaken the memories of times gone by.
- Fully animated Tudor Towne tells the story of forgiveness to young and old alike.
- A “choir” of over 900 Gurley Candles on display from the 1950’s reminds us of simpler times gone by as they are poised to sing their praises to the Lord.
- Pennsylvania handmade Byers' Choice carolers fill a storefront to overflowing as they stand ready to sing songs of Christmas
- New to the National Christmas Center collection is the toy soldier boy’s toy store with over 5,000 hand-painted toy soldiers on display and part of the world's finest collection of brass and wood models of ships, planes, trains and automobiles. Included is the world-class Titanic builder’s model which is 22 feet long, 9 feet tall, weighing 5,500 lbs., with over 8 miles of fiber optic lighting.
- Also new to the National Christmas Center collection is Anastasia's Doll Emporium, a collection of some of the finest dolls and dollhouses from around the world.
- Antiques abound throughout the National Christmas Center, from Santa's and nativities, to scales, popcorn machines, barber chairs, and much, much more.
- Architectural features on each building are works of art in themselves.
- Over 18,000 square feet of nostalgic Christmas décor in lights, trees, stores, and more.
- 17-foot-tall buildings replicate the streets of Columbia, Pennsylvania decked out in 1950’s Christmas themes.
- Sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas tantalize the senses and awaken the memories of times gone by.
- Fully animated Tudor Towne tells the story of forgiveness to young and old alike.
- A “choir” of over 900 Gurley Candles on display from the 1950’s reminds us of simpler times gone by as they are poised to sing their praises to the Lord.
- Pennsylvania handmade Byers' Choice carolers fill a storefront to overflowing as they stand ready to sing songs of Christmas
- New to the National Christmas Center collection is the toy soldier boy’s toy store with over 5,000 hand-painted toy soldiers on display and part of the world's finest collection of brass and wood models of ships, planes, trains and automobiles. Included is the world-class Titanic builder’s model which is 22 feet long, 9 feet tall, weighing 5,500 lbs., with over 8 miles of fiber optic lighting.
- Also new to the National Christmas Center collection is Anastasia's Doll Emporium, a collection of some of the finest dolls and dollhouses from around the world.
- Antiques abound throughout the National Christmas Center, from Santa's and nativities, to scales, popcorn machines, barber chairs, and much, much more.
- Architectural features on each building are works of art in themselves.
On January 7, 2018, the National Christmas Center of Paradise, Pennsylvania, closed its doors. For over 19 years, this 22,000-square foot beloved tourist destination shared the magic of Christmas, both religious and secular, its memories, its history, and its traditions with thousands of visitors.
Jim Morrison, founder, curator, and historian of the center, along with his business partner, Dave Murtaugh, began a search for someone who could purchase the center’s Christmas collections and keep the spirit of Christmas alive by continuing to share these treasures with others. Their prayers were answered, and the search ended when, in October, 2018, Stone Gables Estate purchased the entire Christmas collection, one of the largest collections of historical Christmas memorabilia in the United States. Morrison, who is referred to as the “Keeper of Christmas,” comes with the collection to Stone Gables Estate. He will continue to play an integral role in the resurrection of the National Christmas Center at Stone Gables Estate.
On January 7, 2018, the National Christmas Center of Paradise, Pennsylvania, closed its doors. For over 19 years, this 22,000-square foot beloved tourist destination shared the magic of Christmas, both religious and secular, its memories, its history, and its traditions with thousands of visitors.
Jim Morrison, founder, curator, and historian of the center, along with his business partner, Dave Murtaugh, began a search for someone who could purchase the center’s Christmas collections and keep the spirit of Christmas alive by continuing to share these treasures with others. Their prayers were answered, and the search ended when, in October, 2018, Stone Gables Estate purchased the entire Christmas collection, one of the largest collections of historical Christmas memorabilia in the United States. Morrison, who is referred to as the “Keeper of Christmas,” comes with the collection to Stone Gables Estate. He will continue to play an integral role in the resurrection of the National Christmas Center at Stone Gables Estate.
In early 2019, the Christmas collection was carefully packed, loaded onto numerous tractor trailers, and transported to a climate-controlled area where much of the collection has been and continues to be monitored, cleaned, restored, and put in full working order.
The permanent home of the National Christmas Center will be housed in 40,000 S.F. of the future restored Barns of Belmont. The main 120’ x 60’, four-and-one-half story 1867 Belmont barn and its associated structures, located along Fruitville Pike in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, were threatened by impending development. In 2014, Stone Gables Estate acquired these structures. The buildings were carefully disassembled in 2015, cataloged, and moved into temporary storage. The Barns of Belmont is a multi-year endeavor.
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