PARKERSBURG - The Friends of the Victorian Society Friday decorated the Christmas tree at the Oil and Gas Museum in Parkersburg.
The society has adopted the tree at the museum where the tannenbaum has become a yuletide tradition for the past 14 years, said member Dina Braniff.
"I'm sure it's been 14 years because my grandson was in diapers and he's 15 now," she said.
Article Photos
Photo by Jess Mancini
From left, Cynthia Buskirk, Christine Brookover and Dina Braniff of the Friends of the Victorian Society begin erecting the Christmas tree in the Parkersburg Bicentennial Room at the Oil and Gas Museum. A tree has been decorated by the friends for the past 14 years at the museum.
Braniff was joined by Cynthia Buskirk and Christine Brookover, members of the Victorian Society, to erect the 12-foot artificial tree in the Parkersburg Bicentennial Room on the first floor of the museum.
Dave McKain, curator of the Oil and Gas Museum, is appreciative and complimentary of the Victorian Society.
"They also do the tree up here (at Henderson Hall)," McKain said. "We're going to do that tree next week."
Henderson Hall is a 19th century mansion south of Williamstown where numerous historical artifacts are contained.
Buskirk, Braniff and Brookover are involved in local historical programs.
The society became involved at the museum while installing decorations at other locations in downtown Parkersburg, Buskirk said.
Ornaments on the tree are from numerous sources, from donations, finds and purchases at yard sales where an old bulb with a decorative filament was found, Buskirk said.
She purchased an ornament in the form of a pickle that will be hung on the tree for good luck, a German tradition, Buskirk said.
"Whoever finds the pickle gets to have it as a prize," she said. "So they can take it home and start their tradition."
The tree was acquired years ago at a yard sale for $50, Braniff said. It came in a box marked Kirkland's in Charleston and sold for $600, she said.
