A Victorian Christmas at the Dr. Mudd House Museum

For one weekend every December, the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum in Waldorf, MD reopens out of season in order to present, “A Victorian Christmas”.  A devoted team of volunteers work hard to elegantly festoon the house and grounds with Christmas decor. During the event, costumed docents fill each room of the house eager to discuss not only Dr. Mudd and his involvement with John Wilkes Booth, but also the Christmas customs and traditions of years past. The event is highlighted with Civil War reenactors, music, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Though I have been living in Maryland for three Christmases now, this year marked the first time I was able to attend this special event. The following are some of the pictures I took of my visit today.

Sadly, St. Nick was not present during my time at the house otherwise I would have been sure to photograph him. I did, however, use the festive opportunity to purchase a much needed item from the museum’s gift shop: a Dr. Mudd House ornament.

 As you can see, the ornament looks great on my Christmas tree hanging right next to my ornaments of John Wilkes Booth and the Surratt House Museum.

For those of you who live in the area, “A Victorian Christmas” will also take place at the Dr. Mudd House Museum tomorrow, December 7, 2014 from 11 am to 8 pm.  Admission is $8.  If you can’t make it this year, be sure to keep an eye out for this annual event next December.

Since the Mudd house has effectively put me in the holiday mood, it seems fitting to close this post with another one of my Boothie Christmas carols.  This revised rendition is entitled “Little Doctor Mudd” and it is sung to the tune of “Little Drummer Boy”.  Enjoy!

Little Doctor Mudd
As sung to, “Little Drummer Boy”

“Come”, Dave told me,
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“An injured John to see.”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“My horse, it fell on me,”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“As I was trying to flee.”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd, Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd, Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd.
On my couch went he,
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
Down with a thud.

“We must make do.”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“This splint will see you through.”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“The troops will soon pursue.”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“I dare not harbor you.”
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd, Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd, Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“We are joined, we two, Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd”
“In cold blood.”

When they left here,
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
Our story we made clear.
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
Our lies and truths cohere.
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
I knew we’d persevere.
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd, Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd, Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd

But, I had one fear.
Mudd Mudd-Mudd-Mudd Mudd
“Here’s a boot.”
“Crud!”

(You can read some of my previous Boothie carols by clicking here, here, here, and here.)