Decking the State House's Halls

Story by Kathy Warren

Decking the halls for the holidays dates back centuries, with decorations reflecting the styles and traditions of each era. So, it's no surprise that some of Maryland's oldest landmarks embrace the same colonial customs used by our ancestors to help usher in the holiday season.

Historic St. Mary's City, once the capital of Maryland, maintains its connection to the past throughout the year, but it's during the holiday season that its roots to our past shine most brightly in the form of yuletide cheer. The St. Mary's City State House is dressed from head-to-toe in holiday greenery thanks to the collaboration of dedicated staff and volunteers.

The reconstructed 1676 state house provides the perfect canvas for the Mistress Brent Garden Club of St. Mary's to showcase their decorating talents. Established more than 20 years ago by founding members Beth McCoy and Mary Edna Smith, the club's main focus was to decorate the state house for the madrigal dinners held each year in December.

The madrigal celebration, which includes an evening filled with festive music by the St. Maries Musica, along with a sumptuous meal of traditional 17th century fare, began in 1971 under the direction of Maggie Marlay. The Mistress Brent Garden Club began decorating the state house to help recreate the feel of a period manor house, and to heighten the colonial experience of the guests attending the madrigal evenings.

Today, the club has more than 30 members from all three local counties who come together each year to create the colonial-inspired splendor of yesteryear. The decorations provided by the club are used not only for the madrigal events but also for weddings, corporate and other special events held during December and January. Each year, garden club members meet long before the holiday season to discuss the ideas for that year's decorations.

Meetings are held to select a theme, to assign specific duties to various members, and to finalize a plan of action to coordinate the various groups whose task it is to transform the building into an elegant colonial home in just two days. The club works closely with Historic St. Mary's City staff such as Muffin McCoy Padukiewicz and Susan Wilkinson to ensure that the theme selected is in keeping with the historic nature of the setting.

The themes vary from year-to-year but the spirit of the period is always maintained through the use of native greenery, natural materials and the use of candlelight as much as possible. Themes have ranged from "tidewater" to "herbs." Oyster shells and other water-oriented items were incorporated into the decorations to create the tidewater theme.

Ellie Mowbray, current president of the Mistress Brent Garden Club and member for the past 18 years says, "We feel very fortunate that we 'Mistress Brent' have the chance to decorate the state house," adding, "It's such a gorgeous building."

Over the years, the members have learned which fresh and dried materials hold up best during the long period they are on display. Fresh holly, boxwood and magnolia are staples used throughout the building. The four fireplaces are each adorned with various distinctive decorations including nadina berries, various herbs and cockscomb (celosia), which comes in rich shades of red, gold and even purple, depending on the yearly theme.

Swags of pine and wreaths festoon doorways, welcoming guests inside to enjoy a glass of wassail and enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire. Cedar, spruce and pinecones might also be found nestled among candles tucked upon windowsills providing a soft flickering glow for the evening's festivities.

Everyone involved, including club members, Historic St. Mary's City staff and Museums Facilities Maintenance crews, along with hardworking spouses of the club's members, work toward a common goal of completing the arduous two-day decorating marathon. The Wednesday following, their hard work is on display for a free concert and open house. "It's a glorious evening," notes Ellie Mowbray, referring to the open house. "We get to see how people are enjoying it."

Tradition is what brings us comfort and joy during the holidays and helps connect us to our past. If Maryland's founders could peer through a candlelit window of the state house this holiday season, they too would raise their glass to a job well done and to health and happiness in the year to come.