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Neither rain nor wind nor dark of night could keep Jolene Jordan and her friends from celebrating her birthday in an Ole Christmas way Friday night at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama was decked out for its annual Ole Time Christmas celebration and Jolene and her friends were all decked out with lighted Christmas bulb necklaces.

Jolene was celebrating her ninth birthday and there was nowhere she would rather celebrate than at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.

Jolene and her friends were among the many who braved the icy night to celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way.

Kat Deal entertained with Christmas carols and songs of the season on the museum’s Main Street. The birthday party girls stopped to sing along and dance before going off to make Christmas ornaments to take home to add to the beauty of their Christmas trees.

Barbara Tatom, museum director, said she was very pleased with the number of people who came to celebrate Christmas at the museum.

“I think a lot of people enjoy the quiet, simplicity of an Ole Time Christmas,” she said. “Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were here on Main Street and enjoyed visiting with the boys and girls. Father Christmas was in the Little Red School House and he told stories to the children.

“Over in the Demonstration Cabin, we had a fire going in the fireplace for roasting marshmallows. The museum was open for those who wanted to learn more about the way our pioneers lived and worked.”

The gift shop was a busy place as kids enjoyed learning about the “play toys” of the pioneer children.

“I just appreciate all of those who came out and enjoyed Ole Time Christmas, even on a cold and rainy Friday night and to celebrate Christmas here at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama,” Tatom said. “Saturday night was especially special because December 14, was Alabama’s 200^th birthday. Kat Deal first sang, “Sweet Home, Alabama,” and then we all sang Happy Birthday to Alabama. That was very special for all of us. And, I thank everyone who was a part of Ole Time Christmas at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.”
The museum will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and will then close until the New Year.

Tatom said the museum’s gift shop has unique Christmas gift ideas for all ages and a variety of stocking stuffers. Museum memberships also make great gifts for individuals and families. The memberships offer free admission to all museum sponsored events so memberships are gifts that keep on giving.

For more information, visit the museum or call 334-566-3597.