In 2022, for the first time in three years, Historic Rock Ford will present its Yuletide candlelight tours in their traditional format. Modifications were made to the tours in recent years due to COVID.

Yuletide tours will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 27, and Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, Dec. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. The tours will feature Rock Ford's period dance group, the Warm Hearth Committee, and live harpsichord music by Margaret Marsch and Faith Martin with Mercy Martin on violin. An element from last year's Yuletide will be retained in that visitors will be able to hear Edward Hand in his study recounting his memories of Christmas night in 1776, when he and his men crossed the Delaware River and launched a surprise attack against the Hessian Garrison at Trenton, N.J.

During the era that Edward Hand and his family lived at Rock Ford, the traditional English Christmas was celebrated as Yuletide, a period of gatherings, games, ghost stores, dancing, and dining with family and friends. Yuletide extended over a 12-day period, beginning with Christmas - which was mostly a day for religious observance - and culminating in Twelfth Night on Jan. 6, which was sometime celebrated with a ball or an elaborate feast highlighted with a special cake. When gifts were exchanged at all, they tended to be small items or tokens of affection and were usually given on New Year's Day rather than as part of the Christmas celebration.

Due to limited guest capacity, organizers recommend that attendees purchase tickets in advance at http://www.rockford.yapsody.com. Discounts are available for seniors age 65 and up and for youths ages 6 to 17. Admission is free for children age 5 and under.