VINTAGE CHRISTMAS IN PORTSMOUTH

For details and a complete itinerary of events, go to VintageChristmasNH.org.

Vernon Court had fallen into a state of disrepair by the time the Cutlers bought it in 1998. It had been a private home, a private school, and later part of a junior college, with bedrooms converted into classrooms and the carriage house becoming a biology lab. “There were wires dangling from the ceilings, and no heat or air conditioning,” Laurence says. “The roof leaked. Many of the doors and windows were broken.” It took two long years of restoration and renovation, but the Cutlers finally opened their museum to the public in 2000.

Among the signature pieces in the collection is A Florentine Fete , a series of 10-foot-high panels by Maxfield Parrish that once adorned the girls’ dining room at Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia. In addition to Parrish and Norman Rockwell, the museum includes lesser-known luminaries like Howard Pyle, who in the 1890s founded the first dedicated school of illustration, at what would become Drexel University. Virtually everyone who followed—from J.C. Leyendecker, the most prolific Saturday Evening Post cover artist before Rockwell, to Jessie Wilcox Smith, who created more than 200 covers for Good Housekeeping, to Anna and Ethel Betts, Harvey Dunn, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Frank Schoonover, N.C. Wyeth, and Charles Dana Gibson—were all Pyle disciples to some degree. And they’re all here now, on Bellevue Avenue.

“These aren’t just paintings to look at,” Laurence says. “Real American history is portrayed in these works.”

“I consider myself lucky to have done what I did when I did it,” Judy says. “I was blessed to be the only one paying attention for a while. Now I’m thankful to see illustration artists getting recognition.” She adds with a laugh, “But I’ve literally priced myself out of the market.”

Book your reservations early to make merry December 8-10 at Wassail Weekend—an utterly delightful ushering in of the Christmas season. The scene is beautifully set: an iconic village green, twinkling lights, shops brimming with decorations, and an array of festive events. Enjoy concerts, a historic homes tour, Billings Farm & Museum decked out for a 19th-century holiday, and more—but come 2:00 pm on Saturday, be present for the much-anticipated Equestrian Parade. Sleigh bells jingle as more than 50 horses and riders, decked out in period holiday attire, clip-clop their way through town. WoodstockVT.com

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Hisis 550 acres of local treasure, ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and quiet contemplation.

Among the oldest professionally managed woodlands in the country, the look of the forest owes much to Frederick Billings. Inspired by the writings of ahead-of-his-time conservationist, George Perkins Marsh, Billings used progressive forestry methods to establish the thriving landscape you’ll discover today. Enjoy exploring miles of scenic carriage roads and trails that lead you through centuries-old stands of woodlands to stunning vistas and open pastures. 802-457-3368 • NPS.gov/mabi

Family-friendly alpine ski resort, 30 km of groomed Nordic trails, fat biking and on-site rentals. The Woodstock Inn & Resort is a true outdoor winter wonderland. Once you’ve enjoyed a day outside with all of our winter sports options, come inside for some farm-fresh cuisine at one of the Inn’s restaurants.

Or, delight your senses at The Spa featuring a eucalyptus steam room, sauna & hot tub. If that is not enough check out their Falconry Center, where professional falconers provide a hands-on encounter with these magnificent birds of prey.

844-571-9968

• WoodstockInn.com

In a village rich with visual appeal, the Romanesque-style Norman Williams Public Library fits right in. Centrally located on the town green, it was constructed by Dr. Edward Williams in 1883 as a tribute to his parents. Step inside for a peek at the stunning mezzanine level, replete with handsome woodwork—the benefit of a multimillion renovation in recent years. An architectural treat, the library also offers modern day technology. (Visit during the traditional Wassail Weekend reading of A Child’s Christmas in Wales.)

802-457-2295

• NormanWilliams.lib.vt.us

WHEN YOU GO: A storybook-style New England town must have a covered bridge photo op, right? Stroll beyond the village green toward Mountain Avenue, crossing the Ottauquechee River by way Middle Bridge. Originally built in 1969, the bridge was set in place by a team of oxen.