In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Maitland Historical Society held and open house in its Victorian home on Lake Lilly. The Waterhouse Residence Museum had free admission on the day I went. The Maitland Historical Society had just recently joined forces with the Maitland Arts Center hopefully forming a more cost effective and stronger union. I set my stool up and leaned back to sketch in the residence. It was a stunning afternoon and the sun warmed my up perfectly. There were several small groups who entered the residence for the holiday tour. Every room was decorated in a traditional Victorian fashion. The shadows grew longer as I sketched and before I was done I found myself in the buildings shadow and the air grew colder.
Several young girls were racing each other on foot in the park behind me. The lake had a Christmas tree decorating a central island. I had been to Lake Lilly only once before for an outdoor artist fair. I was surprised that I had never taken the time to come to the historic home before. This is a gem that I will certainly share with family the next time they come to visit.