The Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home in Johnson City. File photo
Plan a presidential holiday celebration at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site and LBJ National Historical Park in Stonewall and Johnson City. The LBJ Boyhood Home will be decorated for the holidays, Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm is hosting an authentic pioneer Christmas, and park rangers will host the annual festivities around the lighting of the Christmas tree.
DECK THE HALLS
Dip candles, string popcorn, and more when the Sauer-Beckmann Farm holds its annual Deck the Halls celebration from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this pioneer exhibit takes visitors back to Central Texas farm life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when President Lyndon B. Johnson grew up in the area.
Activities include a wreath-making demonstration and ornament decorating in the park exhibit hall at the visitors center. Ornament decorating is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Park rangers will dress in period clothing and share their extensive knowledge of frontier living to create an immersive experience for visitors. The farm is open for self-guided tours throughout the holiday season from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. It is located at 501 Park Road 52 in Stonewall. Admission is free.
TREE LIGHTING
A tree-lighting ceremony at the “Texas White House” began 55 years ago with President and Mrs. Johnson. Park rangers continue the holiday tradition each year at LBJ State Park and Historic Site, 199 Park Road 52 in Stonewall. This year’s lighting is at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.
Activities begin at 4:30 p.m. and include a photo booth and live music. Visitors can write holiday cards for hospital patients in Fredericksburg. Shop at the park store and get a 10 percent discount.
The trails to Sauer-Beckmann will open at 6 p.m. The farm will be closed until after the tree-lighting ceremony.
BOYHOOD HOME TOURS
The house where President Johnson lived from the age of 5 until he graduated high school in 1924 is adding days to its Christmas tour schedule. The LBJ Boyhood Home at 200 E. Elm St. in Johnson City is part of LBJ National Historical Park and usually only opens for holiday tours from 6-9 p.m. on the first two Saturdays after Thanksgiving. This year, the home will be open Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 7, 14, and 21.
