Travel back in time this holiday season with the Marathon County Historical Society when we host our annual “Christmas at the Houses” event on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Both the Yawkey House Museum and the Woodson History Center will be decked out in holiday finery. As a new twist this year, they will display some holiday collections, including angels, Santas and snowmen. Costumed actors in both historic houses will share unique stories about the collections. Visitors can enjoy seasonal treats or dress up in vintage fur wraps and pose for holiday-themed photos in our antique sleigh.

Tours of the Yawkey House run every half hour, with the last tour at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5.

Again this year, the Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks will host the Sweet Landmarks of Wausau contest. “Architects” are invited to build a structure out of gingerbread or graham crackers, with other edible details, and bring it to the Woodson History Center for judging and display. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three entries in youth and adult categories. Complete rules and entry form are available on the Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks’ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/359358048135513/.

As always, the Historical Society’s free exhibits will be open for visitors to browse. “Milking Time: Evolution of the Dairy Industry in Marathon County” shows the hard work that went into creating fields after forests were logged off, and the progress made in breeding, testing, medicine and education that enabled dairying to develop into a viable business option. “Rural Electrification: Outlet for Change” depicts life before and after electricity made its slow way into rural areas of Marathon County in the 1930s and ‘40s. “Our Stories: The History of Marathon County” features reminiscences of how people arrived in this area, and how they worked and played in days gone by.

More information about Christmas at the Houses is on the Marathon County Historical Society website www.marathoncountyhistory.org or on our Facebook Event page, or call 715-842-5750.