The Joseph Priestley House is hosting a final holiday party to conclude the Christmas season.
The annual Twelfth Day celebration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the historic house in Northumberland. Admission is $6 for adults, $5.50 for people over 65, $4 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children under 2 and active military and their families.
The Twelfth Day is the final day of the 12 days of Christmas, which are celebrated from Dec. 25 with the birth of Jesus Christ to Jan. 5.
"We have been holding this event for 20 years. It gives the visitors a sense of what occurred in English homes during Twelfth Day 200 years ago, the traditional last day of Christmas celebration," said Tom Bresenhan, president of the Friends of Joseph Priestley House.
In keeping with traditional customs, the house is decorated as it would have been in the 18th century and volunteers dress in period costumes. Dating back to medieval times, the decor will feature natural materials displayed on the mantels above the fireplaces.
Free refreshments will be served including wassail, a hot mulled cider, and twelfth cake, an ornamented cake that was passed between friends during twelfth night festivities.
Chemistry demonstrations hosted by Dr. Priestley are scheduled at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Pond Building. Priestley is most famously known for the discovery of oxygen in 1774 while still in England.
A controversial figure for his political views, Priestley's house was burned down in a riot in 1791, forcing his family to flee to London. Three years later, Priestley and his family left England and settled in Northumberland. He continued his work in Pennsylvania until his death in 1804.
On Sunday, the planned entertainment will also depict how life was like when the Priestley family lived on the estate.
"In the house, we have dancers and musicians performing in 18th century styles," Bresenhan said. The music will be provided by the Bloomsburg Music Ensemble.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about the customs and Christmas traditions that are being celebrated. Guides in period costumes will be stationed throughout the house to explain the events of the twelfth day and what life was like for the Priestley family in the 18th century.
According to its website, www.josephpriestlyhouse.org, the Joseph Priestley House is a historic site that preserves and interprets the contributions Priestley made to American history.
The house and laboratory are registered as a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Chemical Landmark.
For more information on the Joseph Priestley House and Twelfth Day, visit the house's website, call 570-473-9474 or email info@josephpriestleyhouse.org.