Submitted article
Everyone involved with the Gill House project is thrilled to introduce a brand-new event to the Christmas season in Galion, called “The Great Galion Christmas Time Machine.”
Taking place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, The Great Galion Christmas Time Machine will take visitors back in time to Galion Christmases of years past through spoken word, drama, tours, and music.
Included will be the premiere of a new original Christmas play written by Thomas Palmer. Entitled “A Galion Christmas: 1880,” it is based on actual events taking place in Galion in the days leading to Christmas that year and involving a well-known figure from American history. Local actors will be featured with a cast list to be announced shortly.
Also taking place that date will be vignettes looking at Galion Christmases in 1879, 1929, and 1969 – including taking a look at what was available in Galion stores, the programs taking place at local churches, and other holiday events.
Together, the play and vignettes will provide a look at our community’s past that is available for the very first time.
The house will feature wonderful seasonal decorations by The Evergreen Company in Uptowne Galion, and music will be provided by the GHS Showtunes and harpist Ashlie Payton. Tours of the Gill House will also be available. A full and up-to-the-minute schedule of events will be posted on our Facebook page – which can be found easily at: facebook.com/gillhousegalion.
There is no cost for the event, though donations are welcome. We’re also extremely happy to share that for the first Christmas open house in three years, a good portion of the first floor of the house features heat!
The Gill House, on Galion’s main street, was constructed in 1902-1904 to the plans of noted architect Louis Kamper. Built by the third generation of the second family of settlers to arrive in what is now Galion, the house embodies 200 years of local history, and was visited by family friends Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford. It is owned and being renovated by Preserving Galion History, LLC.
The Gill House is located at 342 Harding Way West in Galion.