Governor Henry McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster will host a Christmas Open House at the Governor’s Mansion on Sunday, December 7, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The event is open to all South Carolinians and their families.
Guests attending the open house will be welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Musical performances are scheduled by Hugh Weathers, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture, and Dr. Diana Amos, a professor at Columbia College. Light refreshments such as hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes will be served. The event is free and does not require reservations.
Attendees are encouraged by the first family to bring cat food, dog food, or toys for donation to Pawmetto Lifeline. Donations will be collected at the entrance.
The Columbia Garden Club has begun decorating the Governor’s Mansion for Christmas as it has done annually since 1981. Decorations include Christmas trees from Penland Christmas Tree Farm in York and poinsettias grown by students at Lexington Technology Center Future Farmers. A gingerbread house modeled after Greenville’s Liberty Bridge will also be displayed.
Wreaths throughout the mansion complex have been created and installed by the Horticulture Department of the Department of Administration.
In addition to the open house, docent-guided tours with a Christmas theme will take place on December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 at three times each morning: 10:00, 10:30, and 11:00 AM. These tours are free but require advance reservations through phone or online booking at scgovernorsmansion.org.