The Marengo County Historical Society is inviting people to celebrate Christmas in the Canebrake 2012, on Friday, Nov. 30, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Bluff Hall and Lyon Hall.

These historic antebellum houses will be decorated in period fashion with fresh cedar, pine, smilax, berries and cane among other native naturals.

Local organizations and businesses including the Pilot Club, The Reading Club, Colonial Book Club, United Methodist Women, The Study Club, Southside Garden Club and friends of the Society have volunteered their time and talent to decorate each room for the holidays.

In addition, area talent will fill the air with the sounds of Christmas.

Bluff Hall

5:30: Decatur Street Boys – voice – First United Methodist Church

6:00: Harmony – voice – Lauren Boone, Taylor Cooper, Cheyenne Martin, and Catherine McAlpine – First Baptist Church

6:30: Fairhaven Baptist Church Choir and Ensembles

7:30: Sarah Duncan Culpepper, Miley Lee, Sally Mackey – piano

Lyon Hall

5:30: First Baptist Church Handbell Choir

6:00: Wanda Dunklin and Angela Schumacher – flute and Beth Mason – violin

7:00: Dickens Carolers of Thomasville

7:30: Clement’s Talent Coaching Vocal Group

Kirk Brooker of the Marengo County Historical Society said having these homes open brings “a sense of history and a sense of place” to Christmas in the Canebrake, and it “shares our heritage with locals and visitors alike.”

He said that at Bluff Hall, there will be homemade sweets and apple cider for people to try, and at Lyon Hall, there will be a mix of “sweets and savories” for people to eat.

Brooker added that this is the 40th year for Bluff Hall to be open during Christmas on the River and Christmas in the Canebrake.

Admission is $5 per person ages 12 and up. Children under 12 will be admitted for free. For more information, please contact the Society at 334-289-9644.

Gaineswoood will also be open Friday evening and is inviting people to step back in time from 5-8 p.m.

At Gaineswood, enjoy award-winning musician John Bultman entertaining on the “open-back” banjo throughout the evening. Voice students from Clements Talent Coaching will sing Christmas carols too.

“Christmas in the Canebrake” continues at Gaineswood on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tour one of America’s finest Greek Revival houses during its Christmas open house.

Gaineswood is a historic site of the Alabama Historical Commission. Located at 805 South Cedar Avenue, the house museum is a National Historic Landmark noted for its architecture and furnishings.

Admission is $5 per person ages 12 and up. Children under 12 will be admitted for free. For more information about Candlelight Evening, contact Gaineswood at 334-289-4846.