The three Little Rock based museums of the Department of Arkansas Heritage will host Holiday Open Houses this Sunday, December 2.

Historic Arkansas Museumwill host the 45th Annual Christmas Frolic and Open House.  While I have not attended all of them, I did attend as a child and do return as an adult.  (Sipping the cider for me seems to officially start the Christmas season.)

HAM encourages visitors to:

Keep your family tradition going, or make a new one and join hundreds of others who have danced their first Virginia Reel in the Hinderliter Grog Shop, the oldest house in Little Rock. It’s always fun to watch your kids sashay down the line for the first time, or to brush up on your own steps.

From sack races to stilts, from fiddling to frolicking, this favorite seasonal event charms one and all with old-fashioned fun. Bring the whole family out and enjoy live music, crafts, carols, pioneer games and our famous hot cider and ginger cake.

Don’t forget to stop by the Museum Store for Arkansas-made holiday shopping. Kay Collett Goss will be in the Museum Store during the Frolic signing copies of her book Mr. Chairman: The Life and Legacy of Wilbur D. Mills.

The Christmas Frolic and Open House runs from 1pm to 4pm and is free.

The Old State House will host its own Holiday Open House.

The traditions of joyous family holiday celebrations past can be relived at Holiday Open House. Visitors will find the Old State House colorfully decorated for the season. Fun, hands-on activities will be available to children; they can create unique holiday cards and more! Delightful carols will be performed by local music groups. Visitors will also enjoy delicious cookies and punch.

The Open House at the Old State House runs from 1pm to 4:30pm and is free.

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is the newest museum of DAH.  Though the new kid on the block, it is creating its own Holiday Open House traditions.  Their holiday celebration will include holiday music by local choirs, children’s activities, refreshments, and the first event sweet potatoe pie contest.  It is also a great opportunity to view the exhibit “A Voice Through the Viewfinder: Images of Arkansas’s Black Community” which closes on January 5, 2013.

The Open House at Mosaic Templars is from2pm to 5pm and is free.