NORTHUMBERLAND - The Friends of Joseph Priestley House will host its annual Twelfth Day celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Joseph Priestley House, 472 Priestley Avenue.
Twelfth Day is the 12th and final day of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, which follow Christmas Day. Twelfth Day is a public holiday in some countries.
In keeping with traditional Twelfth Day customs, volunteers will serve free refreshments that have been part of the celebration for centuries, including wassail and twelfth cake. The mantels above the fireplaces in the Priestley House will be decorated with natural materials, a practice which dates to medieval times.
Fiddler Beverly Conrad will entertain guests with music of the time. Dr. Priestley will perform chemistry demonstrations at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., and guides dressed in period costume will be stationed throughout the house to discuss Twelfth Day events and customs during the 18th century when Priestley and his family came to America and settled in Northumberland.
Standard admission fees will be charged for the event, which is open to the public. The Joseph Priestley House, which is one of Pennsylvania's historic sites, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Chemical Landmark.