The house opened to receive guests for the town tree lighting at Massasoit Park, corner of Baker and Water Streets. 

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How to mark Christmas at The Maxwell House was problematic. We were faced with the knowledge that any observance would be contrary to the customs of Baptist Elder, Samuel Maxwell, and his daughter in law, Joanna, who became a Quaker when she married Edward Chase.

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Planners  toyed with the idea of doing nothing to celebrate, as an opportunity for education.  We feared, however, that our guests would feel disappointed rather than educated to visit and find an undecorated house. While this would most likely be an accurate recreation of Christmas in Warren in the 18th century, it lacked festive appeal. We did, however, attempt to keep our decorations simple and made from natural materials.

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While the Maxwells would have thought we have taken leave of our senses for the wasteful use of fruit only for decoration, it played a major decorating role at the house both inside and outside.

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During the twenty some years we held Christmas Open Houses, we experimented with several ideas for decoration. In planning decorations, we consider not only what the effect will be from the inside looking out, but also from the outside looking in.

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Please enjoy more of our favorite Holiday memories.