When it's the holiday season in the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa., the historic sites, villages, inns, malls and more are dressed in their holiday best. Pottsgrove Manor, once the Pottstown summer home of ironmaster John Potts, showcases the elegance of a traditional 18th century English Christmas. On Dec. 14, the manor hosts its Colonial Candlelight Open House with Colonial music, costumed historians, period fare prepared by Susan Plaisted, and entertainment by the Tapestry Dance Ensemble. The home of former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel Pennypacker, Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville, will be wrapped in grand Victorian holiday style from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4. During the site's Victorian Christmas Open House on Dec. 13 costumed historians, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus, greet guests who also witness toy candy making. Ft. Washington's Hope Lodge has rooms furnished in the Colonial style (1743-1770) and in the Colonial Revival style (1922-1953). From Dec. 5 through 7, the mansion is trimmed with trees, lights and more. Thirty-five themed Christmas trees, including one suspended from the ceiling; a multitude of Santa Clauses of many eras; and an extensive Christmas village decorate the seven-room Shearer Elegance Bed & Breakfast in Linfield. An outdoor Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 celebrates the season in Skippack Village, along Route 73, in Skippack. Santa arrives to the joy of little children and choirs perform.

Contact: www.valleyforge.org.

Location: Valley Forge, Pa.

A Christmas fantasy awaits guests to Longwood Gardens, near Kennett Square, Pa., featuring dazzling floral displays, stunning trees, holiday music, 500,000 outdoor lights, dancing fountains and ice skating under the stars. Admission is by timed ticket only. Ticket prices are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors (62+), $6 for students (5-22), free for age 4 and under. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Contact: www.longwoodgardens.org

Location: Kennett Square, Pa.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate is joyfully decking the halls for “Christmas at Mount Vernon,” a special daytime program offered from Thanksgiving Day weekend through the Twelve Days of Christmas. New this year are themed decorations, a gingerbread Mount Vernon, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, 18th-century dancing, and even a Christmas camel just like George Washington had on the grounds during Christmas of 1787.

All programs are included in general admission: $13 for adults, $6 for youth (6-11), and free for children 5 and younger. Mount Vernon is open 365 days of the year, and hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during 'Christmas at Mount Vernon.'

Bring the family down to the Ellicott City Station for the ALL NEW 2008 Holiday Festival of Trains. The star of this year’s Festival in Ellicott City is a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine G-scale model layout along with a brand new custom-built, multi-level O-scale model train layout. Saturdays, December 13th & 20th, Santa Claus will greet visitors in station’s very own red caboose. Children are invited to bring a letter to Santa that they can mail from the Ellicott City Station’s telegraph office. Wed to Sun 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact: 410-461-1945 or visit www.ecborail.org.

Location: B&O Railroad Museum, 2711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City, Md. Admission: $5 adults/$4 seniors/$3 children 2-12

Historic Mount Vernon, the home of the first president, welcomes Inauguration visitors in January with 20 percent off adult admission. Visitors must print the coupon from Mount Vernon's website: http://visit.mountvernon.org. Take the oath of office in the new interactive Inaugural Gallery while gazing up at a life-size model of George Washington, one of three created from a forensic science investigation. See the nation's very first Inaugural buttons worn by supporters of Washington that feature such patriotic phrases as “Long Live the President!” Tour an exhibition of the finest collection of presidential china outside of the White House; “Setting the President's Table: American Presidential China” from the Philadelphia Museum of Art is open through Jan. 21. January is also the 250th wedding anniversary of George and Martha Washington, and on display Jan. 12 – Feb. 23 are Mrs. Washington's wedding slippers, which have not been exhibited at Mount Vernon in over 30 years and due to their fragile condition will not be on display for many years to come. All activities and exhibitions – including 25 new galleries and theater experiences – are part of regular admission: $15 for adults; $7 for youth ages 6-11; and free for children five and younger.

Contact: www.visit.mountvernon.org Location: Mount Vernon, Va.

Railroading was king in Western Maryland for years and Hagerstown was the “Hub City.” Visit Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum to get a taste of this region’s rich railroad heritage. Trains of Christmas features a holiday exhibit of steam and diesel trains – with all the bells and whistles – running through a four-level snow scene. Weekends, to March 1. Trains for kids, gift shop, pictorial displays, railroad artifacts.

Contact: www.roundhouse.org Location: Hagerstown, Md.

Winter Demonstrations Illustrate How Chocolate Was Made During the Colonial Era

Historic Foodways journeyman Jim Gay will demonstrate how chocolate was made in the 18th century on Tuesdays, Jan. 6, Feb. 3 and March 3. The Jan. 6 program will be held at the Randolph House Kitchen and the remaining programs will be held at the Governor’s Palace Kitchen. Gay re-creates the chocolate-making process of colonial kitchens by roasting cocoa beans, shelling them and crushing them in a large mixing bowl. Using a heated grinding stone and an iron rolling pin, the beans are ground into a liquid and mixed with sugar and spices. Gay has been featured in a special collector’s edition of “Paula Deen’s Christmas” and on “Paula’s Best Dishes” on the Food Network. In the 18th-century capital of Virginia, chocolate was made primarily to be served as a hot beverage, the drink of choice to pair with breakfast. Chocolate, along with coffee and tea, was considered a “necessity” in the colonies and could be found everywhere in the 18th century. In 2001, Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Foodways staff premiered a program called “Secrets of the Chocolate Maker” in the Governor’s Palace kitchen. It was the first regularly scheduled historic chocolate making program in North America using original recipes and equipment. Members of the Foodways staff are now internationally recognized authorities on historic chocolate in North America. Over the years, this program has been presented in magazines, the Food Network, colleges, museums and even the National Academy of Sciences. The chocolate produced is as close to the original 18th-century product as can be produced in the modern age. “The Secrets of the Chocolate Maker” was the inspiration for Colonial Williamsburg and Mars Incorporated to create “American Heritage Chocolate” products. The “American Heritage Chocolates” may be purchased at the Craft House, Tarpley’s Store, Greenhow Store, Raleigh Tavern Bakery and WILLIAMSBURG Revolutions

The Philadelphia National Candy, Gift & Gourmet Show has always been a sweet success, but this year, they’re throwing even more sugar into the pot. A Chef Challenge will take place on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. Teams of chefs from local Atlantic City restaurants and hotels are challenged to prepare four course meals, with chocolate as an ingredient in every course. A panel of judges will select a winning team, but when it comes to chocolate, and other fine foods… every team will be a winner. Now in its 60th year, the show attracts over 3,000 gourmet, candy and gift retailers. These attendees converge on the Atlantic City Convention Center for the free, trade-only show, intent on filling their shelves with new products for Valentine’s Day and beyond. The three-day trade show offers buyers, vendors and retailers the chance to network, chart product and display trends and take advantage of professional development opportunities. Hot trends in the industry will be covered at this year’s show, with environmentally friendly candy-making and packaging and some new colors for chocolate that top the list. Free seminars, an important source for fresh ideas, will include Candy 101, The Incredible Chocolate Egg, Decorating with Royal Icing and Candy Made Easy. Following each seminar, speakers will be available for an additional questions and answer session. Contact: www.atlanticcitynj.com. Location: Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, N.J.