Gibson Girl Hat Decorating Workshop at Ventfort Hall

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LENOX, Mass.— To complement the exhibit "The Gibson Girl: A Gilded Age Icon," Ventfort Hall is hosting a hat decorating workshop with Nancy Whelan, a graphic designer and decorative artist. 
 
The workshop will take place Oct. 2 at noon.
 
From the opulent "Merry Widow" to the simple straw boater, participants will create their own fashionable Gibson Girl style hat. Ventfort Hall will provide hats and trims – silk flowers, feathers, ribbon and lace. Nancy, who is a staff member at Ventfort Hall, will guide the workshop and have samples and images from the era as inspiration.
 
Whelan has had a life-long passion for all things Gilded Age. She enjoys researching historical fashions and creating clothing and costumes from many periods. At Ventfort Hall she coordinates our group tours, lunches and teas, as well as decking our halls for the holidays with Victorian flair.
 
Tickets for the workshop are $35 per person and include the cost of materials. Reservations are required. Call 413-637-3206. 
 
Please note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event.
 
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Marionette Shows At Ventfort Hall for Children

LENOX, Mass. — The puppeteer Carl Sprague will return to Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and Museum in Lenox with Rapunzel for two holiday vacation week marionette performances. 
 
The dates and times are Saturday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Dec. 29, both at 3:30 pm. The audiences will have the opportunity to meet Sprague after.
 
Sprague, who has appeared annually at Ventfort Hall with his "behind the scenery" mastery, has been a puppeteer since childhood.  He inherited a collection of 60 antique Czech marionettes, each about eight inches tall that were assembled by his great-grandfather, Julius Hybler.  Hybler's legacy also includes two marionette theaters. 
 
Also, Sprague has been a set designer for such motion pictures as "The Royal Tenenbaums" and Scorcese's "The Age of Innocence," as well as for theater productions including those of Shakespeare & Company. 
 
Admission to the show is $20 per person; $10 for children 4-17 and free for age 3 and under. Children must be accompanied by adults.  Ventfort Hall is decorated for the holidays. Reservations are required as seating is limited and can be made on line at https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or by calling (413) 637-3206. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
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