The Maccariella family of Rayland was one of many families who took time to visit the Jefferson County Historical Museum and Geneaological Society during its holiday open house event, held Nov. 15. The family, consisting of members, from left, front, Joseph and Giada; and back, Danielle and Mark Maccariella, observed several large Christmas trees decorated with ornaments more than 100 years old. Additional festive, vintage Christmas displays were visited, having been organized by historian and Jefferson County Historical Association board member Roger Pyles. JCHA President Dennis Milko, along with members of the association, greeted visitors upon their arrival, providing commentary on the history of the house and many of its 19 rooms. Some of the rooms visited included the Dean Martin room, a 1920s bedroom consisting of a bed containing a mattress with a rope-woven bottom that supports a feather, corn cob or rag-filled sheet. A 1920s bathroom filled with toiletries of that era was toured, as well as a military room with uniforms, equipment and original newspapers containing the headlines “Attack on Pearl Harbor” and other World War I events; and the Edwin Stanton room. Rooms in the basement are equipped with turn-of-the-20th-century medical and dental instruments, antique cameras, tools and a large display of riverboat models and artifacts from the paddlewheel era along the Ohio River in Steubenville. Guests were treated to light desserts and a homemade turkey stew that had been prepared by Milko. For information about the historical museum or the historical association, call (740) 283-1133 or visit its website at jeffcountyhistoriocal.org or visitsteubenville.com.

— Contributed