Christmas in July!

"Building Holidays" Trolley Tour
Coming December 6

Part I – Announcement

ARCHITREKS presents "Building Holidays," a trolley tour illustrating the history of holiday traditions in America using the architectural sites and history of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine as a backdrop. The tour will integrate uniquely Cincinnati holiday events along the way and discuss the role of Cincinnati institutions, past and present, in the special season.

In addition to the many sites seen and discussed along the route, "Building Holidays" will include stops at Memorial Hall, Philippus United Church of Christ, and the Mercantile Library. The tour will share Cincinnati holiday memories such as the Ruth Lyons Children’s Christmas Fund and the Western & Southern Financial Group Crib of the Nativity scene at Krohn Conservatory.

The tour will highlight both Jewish and Christian holiday customs, and the contributions of the ethnic groups that built America. For example, German immigrants brought many of their traditions to the New World, including the Christmas tree and Christmas card. The tour will also explore the influence of African-Americans on American holiday celebrations.

The approximately two-hour tour will take place on December 6, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tours will depart from Fountain Square along Vine Street. Tickets are $15.00 and $5.00 for children, and can be reserved through the Cincinnati Preservation Association (info@cincinnatipreservation.org) beginning in the fall. Seating is limited to 30 persons per tour and all will receive a complimentary souvenir of the tour.

ARCHITREKS is a program of the Cincinnati Preservation Association. "Building Holidays" is made possible in part with a generous donation from the Western & Southern Financial Fund.

Next: Part II – Further Details