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Vienna Luminaria Event Held on December 22nd
The Vienna, MD Luminaria 32nd annual
event arrives on Saturday evening, December
22. Walk the streets, ride the free
Vienna tram, or drive and enjoy the 1500
luminaries and the finely decorated homes.
From 5-9 pm stop along the way to see our
museum, visit historical buildings, enjoy
entertainment at churches, and talk to Santa
or enjoy his refreshments. A number of the
decorated homes will be open to those with
house tour tickets.
Headquarters for the evening will be
the Vienna Heritage Museum located at 303
Race Street. For those interested in the
house tour, this must be the first stop as it is
the only place to purchase tickets. House
tour tickets are the only cost of the evening,
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While at the museum, visitors can view a
variety of memorabilia from the area. Find
a feather tree with old ornaments. The
demonstration by Daniel Martinek of button
making on the equipment from the last
family-owned pearl button factory in the
US is always a highlight.
Along with several open house take
note of other historical buildings.
Find the former ferry tender’s house at
106 Race Street. Inside are a number of pictures
from an earlier Vienna time. Ponder
how the small building served as the Vienna
Town Hall for about 50 years after
1933 when a bridge replaced the ferry.
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visited at the corner of Church and Water
Streets. Built about 1791 and reported to be
the oldest surviving Maryland Customs
House, it serves as a reminder of Vienna’s
founding in 1706 and its importance as an
early port. From about 1768 to 1866 Vienna
served as the official port for customs collection
in the area, one of the three on the
Eastern Shore. Presently, the Customs
House is furnished simply.
The 120 year old St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church on Church Street will have out the
welcome mat. Plans are to have younger
students from Vienna Elementary School
share songs of the season. Enjoy the hospitality
of church members in the Tillman-
Wright Parish Hall completed in 2008.
Across the street, members of the 109
year old Vienna United Methodist Church
invite visitors to pause in their sanctuary.
Decorated with poinsettias enjoy the organ
music and pause and reflect on the origins
of the season.
Santa welcomes the young to share
their special wish at his temporary house in
the former Coast Guard Building at about
116 Water Street. Bring your camera. For
all the young of heart enjoy a free cup of
hot cider or chocolate and an edible treat at
this circa 1960’s remodeled building, the
main center for refreshments.
For ease of parking off the streets, the
recommended place to start the evening activities
is to park at the Edwin A Murphy
Community Center, 104 Race St., or at the
present Vienna Town Hall/ball field, Market
St. & Middle St. extended. The Vienna
free tram will take visitors to the Museum
and to other spots in town.
The 1uminaria event is Vienna’s way
of supporting long time customs. The
southwestern part of the United States is
best known for the custom of 1uminarias,
which seem to have come from those of
Spanish descent. The exact origin is unknown.
One suggestion is that the Luminarias
are symbolic of the shepherds’
bonfires the night Christ was born. Or it
could be that they serve to guide the Christ
Child to one’s door. Other supported customs
of a more local flavor are sharing, the
visiting of others, and the receiving of
guests into our homes at Christmas time.
Sponsored by the Vienna Heritage
Foundation with assistance of the Chicone
Ruritan Club. Thanks go to the Chicone
Ruritans and helpers who will be setting out
at dusk and collecting later the luminarias.
Information is available from 410 376-
3413 or 410-376-3286.