Christina Woods
A beloved Windsor tradition is upon us.
Willistead Manor, the architectural and
historical gem in the heart of one of
Windsor’s most famous neighbourhoods is
getting ready to open its doors for its annual
holiday showcase. I recently had the pleasure
of conducting an email interview with
Christopher Lawrence Menard, Cultural
Development and Willistead Manor
Coordinator from the Cultural Affairs
Department of the City of Windsor. Here is an
abbreviated version of that interview – one
could go on for hours about this merry topic!
When did the holiday tours start?
The idea of decorating Willistead Manor for
the holidays began over 30 years ago, and
came from the Friends of Willistead group
who wanted to take advantage of the holiday
season to showcase the Manor in a new way.
Who supplies the decorating material?
Originally, all decorations and materials came
from the Friends of Willistead and their
members who set the themes for each room.
Gradually they expanded to incorporate
professional designers.
How many people are involved in getting
the house ready?
Decorating Willistead Manor is no small feat
each year! The custodian who gives the
manor its daily TLC ensures all the rooms are
shiny and facility staff set out the trees. After
that, it really does become the Friends of
Willistead’s show. They have five professional
designers, students from St. Clair College’s
Willistead Manor
2017 Tour Dates
Sunday, December 3
Sunday, December 10
Sunday, December 17
All tours from noon to 5 p.m.
The Silver Bells perform from
approximately 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
interior
design
program,
and
the Friends themselves – usually an army of
about 70 people.
What role does the city play?
The City’s Cultural Affairs Department
oversees the operation of Willistead Manor.
We produce the graphic designs to promote
the tours, the tour program booklet, and
ensure the trees and other materials are on
site, ready for decorating.
Will the current renovations impact the
tours in any way?
In 2017, Willistead Manor was the proud
recipient of a generous grant from the Canada
150 Community Infrastructure Program for
an impressive restoration project. This work
started in September 2017 with a targeted
end date of March 2018. To provide onsite
restoration
staff
with
maximum
uninterrupted access to the facility during the
weekdays and nights, Willistead Manor’s
holiday tours will take place on Sundays only
for 2017.
What happens to the decorations – are
they kept or sold for fundraising?
The extensive holiday decorations collection
from Willistead Manor and the Friends of
Willistead remains on site throughout the
year.
Have any decorations ever been
accidentally damaged?
Very little has been damaged or stolen over
the years. Not only is there a Friend of
Willistead in each room during the holiday
tours to oversee the space, answer questions
and provide anecdotes about the building and
commentary on the decorations, but also the
guests at Willistead Manor are very
respectful.
Why does the dedicated team do it? (Based
on how much work must be involved.)
If you ask Kathie Renaud – the tireless and
generous President of the Friends of
Willistead, she says they do this because it is
TRADITION! Most of their members love the
process of planning how the rooms will be
decorated, and helping to bring it all together.
Can you leave us with some examples of
visitor feedback?
“Absolutely stunning!”
“Every room told a story.”
“Our family returns year after year.”
“Our community is lucky to have this.”
Indeed, we are. Happy Holidays!
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December 2017/January 2018 - The HUB 9