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…we went to bed, so old Santa Claus could come down the chimney. Christmas morning dawned very warm, and a great deal brighter than usual, and we all hurried, and dressed and then went into Papa's room to see what old Santa Claus had brought us." — Caroline Johnston to Uncle John Baxter, December 1875 "Magical" is the only word that might describe Christmas at the Johnston- Felton-Hay House. Little is known about those early Christmases in the house, though family letters indicate Christmas dinners, holiday dances, and gifts exchanged by the fi re were a common occurrence. By 1915 when Louisa Gibson Felton came to the house as the young bride of William H. Felton Jr., she recalled the home's fi rst Christmas tree in the lower-level living room and her children's stockings hung along bookcases. For the Hay family, who moved into the house in 1927, the house was the scene of annual family Christmas celebrations. Chester Davis, the family's butler and chauff eur, recalled "It (Christmas) was the most beautiful site…the rooms lit up that face the front street and on every mantelpiece in the house. Mrs. Hay would have all kinds of decorations and on all the tables…It was a very delightful time around here at Christmastime." Hay grandchildren remember fondly Christmas celebrations in the dining room. Afterward, the so-called Mother Hay would hand out packages from under the tree in the reception room, to be opened in the family living room across the hall. Since 1988, under the leadership of the Hay House Board and The Georgia Trust, Christmas at Hay House has become a community tradition. First imagined as simply decorating the house, the season has evolved to include local designers, volunteers, and sometimes themed Christmas decorations. Over the years, events have been added to the festivities to include Christmas lunches, candlelight dinners, children's tea parties, and the annual patron's party. For generations local families have been able to create their own memories at Hay House. Jan Beeland, who leads this year's Santa at Hay House event says: "It has been my pleasure to play some part in Christmas at Hay House. Holidays at Hay House AUBREY NEWBY IS DIRECTOR OF HAY HOUSE, A PROPERTY OF THE GEORGIA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION. RIGHT During the early years of Christmas at Hay House, a live tree was used in the Living Room. This photo from 1992 shows volunteers unloading the tree in the front drive. Santa is a long- standing tradition of Christmas at Hay House. This 1993 photo captured Vivian "Bib" Hay Anderson with her great granddaughter Tindal, seated on Santa's lap. 42 maconmagazine.com | October/November 2024