The Most Unique Barn Ever!

As you enter this unique barn you are immediately awed by the greenhouse full of vintage architectural elements, tole trays, and paintings. Throughout the barn you are charmed back to a former time with many delightful collectibles.

Dallas Arboretum at Christmas

The Dallas Arboretum is decorated for Christmas with 25 foot Victorian gazebos scattered about the gardens depicting The Twelve Days of Christmas. Each gazebo is enclosed with glass and features delightful costume characters with mechanical parts and music. Also featured in this post is a tour of the DeGolyer house displaying over 300 Nativity Creches and a few pics of the gardens in Autumn and the Children's Adventure Garden.

Nine drummers drumming.

 Eight maids a- milking.

 Eleven ladies dancing

Eleven pipers piping

A partridge in a pear tree.

 Seven Swans a -swimming. 

I wish I had pics of all twelve gazebos. They were spectacular. I highly recommend attending Holiday at the Arboretum. Also included in the holiday attractions is the Artistry of the Nativity Exhibition in the historic DeGolyer House situated in the center of the 66 acre garden. There are over 300 creches from around the world displayed.  I hope you enjoy a tour of the home.

Beginning  in the dining room of the DeGolyer house this elaborate tablescape was stunning. The DeGolyer house a Spanish Colonial Revival style home was built in 1940. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Texas Register of Historic Places and is open daily for tours.

The geophysicist Everette Lee DeGolyer and his wife Nell built this 21,000 square foot home with extensive flower gardens. Each window has an exquisite  view of the gardens or the lake. Part of the original home now is a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner.

Even the lamps were decorated. Each room had a beautiful lavish tree and many nativities.

 Over 300 nativities are displayed in the DeGolyer House.

Pictures do not do the nativities justice nor the beautiful home. Mrs. DeGolyer's portrait above the piano.

 Note the gorgeous ceiling and lavish fireplace.

 The library is over 1700 square feet.

The view from the library window overlooks White Rock Lake and you can see the Dallas skyline. 

 Old Chalkware

Mrs. DeGolyer's sitting room.

 Master bedroom.

  A few pics of the lovely gardens.

  The gardens cover 66 acres. The Arboretum opened its doors in 1984. You can read about it's history on dallasarboretum.org. U-tube videos are available also to google.

 The Rory Meyers Children adventure Garden is an educational hands on adventure garden. It is funded with support from the City of Dallas and private and corporate donors. It was named by the family of Rory Meyers, a well known civic leader, volunteer and longtime member of the Arboretum Board and chair of the Education Committee. Information from the Dallas Arboretum website.

 It is a fun adventure for all ages including adults.

It won the Thea award for outstanding achievement as a science/Discovery  garden. It is certified as a wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.  and is certified as a Monarch Butterfly Waystation.

 Autumn at the Arboretum is also quite elaborate too. Thousands( I'm not exaggerating) of pumpkins are everywhere.

 The children love to pretend they are in Cinderella's carriage.

A petting zoo is in this area as well and face painting delights the children.

Here I am snapping a monarch butterfly on my iphone.
There is so much to see and enjoy at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens any season of the year. I can't wait to see the tulips in the springtime.