BLACKFOOT — The Bingham County Historical Museum is housed in a 107-year-old mansion that was once considered to be the social center of Blackfoot, and now Bingham County Historical Society members are planning a special holiday open house at the museum that will be reminiscent of its glory days.

But they need the public’s help to pull it off.

BCHS officials are asking community members to donate time, money and Christmas decorations for the open house set Dec. 3-8 at the museum, located at 190 N. Shilling in Blackfoot.

“We want it to feel like you’re coming through somebody’s home at Christmas,” said BCHS Historian Trudy Kirkpatrick, adding that they’re hoping to have actors at the museum representing John and May Brown, who built the mansion in 1905. “They used to have dances and everything at the home. It was (a source of) major entertainment in the county and it was wonderful to get an invitation there.”

Kirkpatrick said they’re hoping to purchase a 12-foot Christmas tree to decorate the museum, and they’re asking community members to donate ornaments for the cause by Nov. 16.

“We want something that represents their families,” she said, adding that they’re looking for new or lightlyused decorations, and they’re hoping people will include a short family history or story with the ornaments.

She’s also asking people to donate or lend Nativity scenes, nutcrackers and dolls to display at the museum throughout the week.

“We want Christmas ornaments and vintage items we can show off,” she said.

As part of the open house, BCHS is also planning a series of activities including a bake sale, food drive, a day with Santa Clause, raffles, Christmas caroling, musical performances and wagon rides throughout the city’s historical district. And they’re looking for monetary donations and volunteers to help with just about all of the activities, Kirkpatrick said.

Anyone interested in helping with the cause can contact Kirkpatrick at 785-3316, Lois Bates at 785-3264 or Merlin Wright at 684-9252 for more information. Donations of money and decorations can also be dropped off at the BCHS gallery, located at 3 N.W. Main in Blackfoot.

The BCHS recently took over management of the museum, and Kirkpatrick said they hope the open house will not only add to the community’s holiday activities, but generate interest in the facility.

“We want to let people know the BCHS is taking it over,” she said, adding that she hopes the event will encourage people to volunteer at the museum when it reopens for the year, and draw more visitors in the future.

Schedule of Events:

Dec. 3 — Community Christmas tree lighting, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 — Christmas cookies sale, 4- to 8 p.m.

Dec. 5 — Food and toy collection for community, 4- to 8 p.m.

Dec. 6 — Story time with Santa, 4- to 8 p.m.

Dec. 7 — Christmas caroling and music groups, 2- to 8 p.m.

Dec. 8 — Christmas extravaganza, noon to 7 p.m. This event includes wagon rides through the historical district, a low-cost meal at the Senior Citizens Center, musical entertainment, and photos with Moki the dog, who rides on a motorcycle.

All events take place at the Bingham County Historical Museum.