Public Invited to Visit the Governor's Residence during Holiday Season

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell and First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell today invited Pennsylvanians to visit the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg during the holiday season.

The Residence, located at 2035 North Front St., will be open for weekday tours on Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14 and 15 from noon to 2 p.m.

Candlelight open houses will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Entertainment on Dec. 5 will include performances by the Capitol City Cello Choir, saxophonist Matt Kuentzler, the Ephrata Cloister Chorus, and the Dietz Family Trio.

On Dec. 12, performers will include the Williamsport Area Men's Chorus, the Trust Company A-Cappella Singers, the Shipman Violin Studio, the Lyrico Quartet, pianist Karl Hausman, the Susquehanna Flute Quartet, the Harrisburg Singers, pianist Elise Bordner, Shadow Trax Media, and the Fifth Avenue Strings.

Santa Claus will also make a special appearance on Dec. 12.

Visitors to both open houses will enjoy cocoa, warm cider and cookies.

Again this year, seven trees donated by the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association will adorn the Residence along with festive decorations in many rooms and hallways. This year's decorators and decorations include:

• Mellon Parlor – decorated by Judy Brillhart of the Strawberry Shop in York
• Grand Hall/Erie Room/Family Dining Room – decorated by the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen. The Erie Room and Grand Hall feature more traditional decorations; the Dining Room is decorated in a more contemporary manner.  
• The Grand Hall Entrance – decorated by Jim Martin of the Garden Path, Harrisburg.
• First Lady's Office – decorated by Dennis and Linda Rydberg of Carlisle using Swedish decorations and ornaments in honor of the First Lady's Swedish heritage.
• Governor's Library – decorated with moose of all shapes and sizes from the First Lady's personal collection, which has grown in the last eight years from just a few moose to more than 100.
• The State Entrance – decorated by Debra Eberly of D.W. Designs in Dallastown.
• The 14-foot Children's Tree in the State Reception Room is decorated with ornaments made by students at the Cathedral Consolidated School, Harrisburg and Brownie Troop #10988, Junior Troop #11009, and Cadets and Seniors from Troop #11006, all of Rutherford.
• Holiday Railroad Set – designed and installed by the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg.

Admission to the Governor's Residence is free and reservations are not required for the holiday tours and open houses.

Home to Pennsylvania's governors since 1968, the Georgian-style structure is less than 2 miles from the state Capitol Building. The Residence is open for public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the months of April, May, June, September and October. 

For more information about tours, call 717-772-9130.

Media contact: Mia DeVane; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor