The Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth celebrate the season with WINTER WONDERLAND: The Coleman Collection, a holiday classic for generations of Hampton Roads visitors and residents. From Victorian scenes of animated skaters and carolers to the enchanted forest of bears, deer and Santa’s workshop, the displays delight visitors of all ages. The Coleman Garden Nursery Yuletide displays began in the mid-1960s when owner, A.J. Lancaster was inspired by the animated Disneyland exhibit at the New York World’s Fair. Coleman’s first figure was a sleeping Santa. Over the years, several hundred figures were added to include animated elves, snow babies, woodland creatures, Santa’s toy and candy factories, a bakery and carolers, amongst others.
Housed in the 1846 Courthouse in historic Olde Towne, the Galleries are devoted to offering quality educational, cultural and aesthetic experiences in the arts through rotating visual art exhibits, lectures, classes and performances. The exhibits featured in this dramatic setting encompass traditional and contemporary art forms that inspire interest and understanding of our rich and diverse global heritage. The Courthouse Galleries provide quality programming that entertains and promotes a greater knowledge and understanding of the visual arts.
While in Portsmouth, check out other things to do and see at: http://www.visitportsva.com/