LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Nov. 30, 2009)—The St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point will present the 24th annual Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit beginning Dec. 2 for a month-long exhibit featuring antique and collectible dolls and toys, and working miniature trains to delight children from one to 101. The theme of this year's exhibit is "Christmas in Maryland" which continues the year-long celebration of Maryland's 375th birthday. Come learn the official symbols of Maryland!
Exhibit coordinator Lydia Wood works with members of the Southern Maryland and Black-Eyed-Susan doll clubs as well as members of the local community who offer precious and valuable pieces from their personal collections. Wood, who has coordinated this event from the beginning, is challenged to create new themes and offer new designs so the returning public has a fresh experience every year.
A favorite feature of this exhibit is found in the c. 1820 Charlotte Hall School, a one-room schoolhouse transformed into a holiday train station. Children can take the controls of a working miniature train that chugs and toots its way around an endless track offering a fun and interactive experience.
Visitors can also enjoy browsing at the Crab Claw Museum Store which features a myriad of unique gifts, children's books and toys, clothing, jewelry, Maryland flags, lighthouses, souvenirs, and much more! All gift shop proceeds benefit museum programs, projects and exhibits.
The exhibit opens December 2 and will be available through January 3, 2010 during the Museum's winter hours of operation, noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Museum hours for this exhibit will be extended to 7 days a week the week after the Christmas holiday to coincide with county schools holiday recess.
The St. Clement's Island Museum is managed by the Museum Division of St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County. It is located at the end of Route 242 in Colton's Point. Call the Museum Division offices at 301-769-2222 for more information or log on to http://stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums/ .