Special Events at Merrehope
Merrehope is home to special events throughout the year.
Mark your calendar and join us.
Check back often for updates and new additions.
UPCOMING:
Cocoa & Cookies with Mrs. Claus
Pictures with Santa at Merrehope
Spirits of Christmas at Merrehope
Christmas Yoga at Merrehope
Toast Together Reception
RECENT & RECURRING EVENTS:
November 24th – December 31st, 2024
Upcoming Events
56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope
November 24th – December 31st
The 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope will take on a stunning new look as talented designers decorate over 60 fabulous trees and festive exhibits. Each year’s presentation is elaborately different drawing thousands of visitors from throughout Mississippi, the United States and foreign countries. Voted Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction, the splendidly decorated Neoclassical 20-room mansion (circa 1859) will be open daily for tours Nov. 24 through Dec. 31.
Trees of Christmas Tours:
November 24th — December 31st, 2024
Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm
Sun 1pm – 4pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Holiday Tour Admission:
Adults $15 | Military & Senior Citizens $10 | Students $5
Mimosas & Merrehope
December 7th • 10am-12pm
Cheers to mimosas, live entertainment, scrumptious brunch fare and tours on this delightful Saturday morning during the 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. Decorators turn the magnificent 20-room Neoclassical Revival mansion (circa 1859) into a stunning holiday attraction with over 60 spectacular trees and festive exhibits. Each year’s presentation is elaborately different drawing thousands of visitors from throughout Mississippi, the United States and foreign countries. Mimosas & Merrehope tickets must be purchased in advance. Trees of Christmas has been voted Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction.
$50 (Limited to 60)
Purchase your ticket in advance by calling Merrehope or through board or team members.
601-483-8439 or merrehopemeridian@gmail.com
Must be 21 or older.
Cocoa & Cookies with Mrs. Claus
December 8th • 1-4pm
Join the JOLLINESS as you enjoy delicious cookies and hot cocoa with Mrs. Claus and tour the 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. Voted Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction, this elaborate display of over 60 spectacular trees and festive exhibits takes on a totally new look each year. The magnificent 20-room Neoclassical Revival Mansion (circa 1859) will be decorated “Merre & Brite” by talented designers, decorators and groups.
$5 Children & Students (Tour included)
Pictures with Santa
December 8th • 1-4pm
Professional photographer, Mark Davis will be at Trees of Christmas at Merrehope to take pictures of your children with Santa by the Victorian Tree. Start or continue the tradition of having your children photographed each year at Trees of Christmas.
Voted Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction, this elaborate display of over 60 spectacular trees and festive exhibits takes on a totally new look each year. The magnificent 20-room Neoclassical Revival Mansion (circa 1859) will be decorated “Merre & Brite” by talented designers, individuals and groups. Trees of Christmas will be open daily for tours Nov. 24 through Dec. 31, Monday – Saturday from 10 to 4 and on Sundays from 1 to 4 – with an array of unique holiday activities.
$20 (Tour not included)
Spirits of Christmas at Merrehope
December 12th • 6-8pm
Bring your own spirits and experience the magic of Trees of Christmas at Merrehope at night under thousands of Christmas lights. The festive event includes delightful holiday refreshments, entertainment and tours of the 20-room Neoclassical Revival mansion showcasing over 60 elaborately decorated trees and festive holiday exhibits. Each year’s presentation is elaborately different drawing thousands of visitors from throughout Mississippi, the United States and foreign countries. Voted Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction, Trees of Christmas at Merrehope is even more spectacular at night.
$15 (includes tour, entertainment and light refreshments)
Christmas Yoga at Merrehope
December 19th • 5-7:30pm
A relaxing Yoga practice in the 20-room Neoclassical Revival mansion decorated with 60 beautiful trees and holiday exhibits is definitely an experience to remember. Courtney Taylor of Wild Soul Yoga will lead the practice and meditation with thousands of Christmas lights twinkling. It’s a special evening during the 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope “Merre & Brite” season. Talented designers and decorators have created a spectacular holiday presentation of over 60 elaborate trees and stunning exhibits.
5:00pm Open for Tours for yoga participants only
5:45 – 6:45pm A slow mindful yoga practice with meditation
Tours continue until 7:30pm for participants
$15 (includes yoga/meditation practice and tour)
Brought to you by Courtney Taylor & Wild Soul Yoga
“Toast Together” Reception
December 31st • 1-4pm
Let‘s “Toast Together“ as we celebrate the final day of the six-week 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope “Merre & Brite” season. Each year the magnificent 20-room Neoclassical Revival mansion (circa 1859) takes on a totally new look as talented designers and decorators create a spectacular holiday presentation.
Adults $15 | Military & Senior Citizens $10 | Students $5
Recent and Recurring Events
Advent Wreath Making at Merrehope
December 1st • 1-4pm
Create an Advent Wreath for your home from fresh greenery on the veranda at Merrehope. This workshop, led by floral professionals is held in conjunction with the 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. Voted Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction, this elaborate display of over 60 spectacular trees and festive exhibits takes on a totally new look each year. The magnificent 20-room Neoclassical Revival Mansion (circa 1859) will be decorated “Merre & Brite” by talented designers, decorators and groups.
$15 (does not include tour)
Trees of Christmas Opening Gala at Merrehope
November 24th • 1-4pm
The Opening Gala is your first chance to see the 56th Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. Holiday refreshments, entertainment as well as Trees of Christmas decorators will enhance the opening of the six-week “Merre & Brite” season. Talented designers, decorators, groups and individuals have joined to turn the magnificent 20-room Neoclassical Revival mansion into a fascinating holiday attraction. Over 60 uniquely decorated Christmas Trees and exhibits found throughout the house, on the veranda and grounds are different each year. Voted “Mississippi’s Top Holiday Attraction.”
Adults $15 | Military & Senior Citizens $10 | Students $5
Mixing Spirits for Merrehope
October 15th, 2024 • 6-8 PM
All Aboard . . . at Union Station for an entertaining evening of tantalizing cocktails and savory food pairings inspired by the spirits of enchanting Merrehope. Guests savored the four-course tasting experience as the secrets behind each cocktail created especially for this evening were unveiled. Surprises waited around every corner as guest meandered through the Mobile & Ohio, the New Orleans & Northeastern and the Alabama & Vicksburg Railroad Rooms upstairs at Union Station and out on the open-air deck overlooking the rail yard! The perfectly tamed spirits created by Weidmann’s expert mixologists ensured an evening more exciting than a runaway train.
Sold Out
Sponsored by: Weidmann’s and Cathead Distillery
Masquerade at Merrehope
February 16th, 2024
Masquerade at Merrehope was “lookin’ snazzy, feelin’ jazzy”. The Meridian Mardi Gras Pre-Parade Party at Merrehope features diverse entertainment, engaging activities, New Orleans style party fare and lots of fun for all ages.
Watch the Video
Watch the 2023 Video
Watch 2023’s “Stella Shout Out”
The Grand Table at Merrehope
November 2nd, 2023 • 5-7 PM
Dr. Jim DelPrince, Horticulture Specialist with MSU Extension Service presented The Grand Table at Merrehope. He created a series of tablescapes for the dining room table using a variety of fall and holiday enhanced elements along with cut flowers. The audience enjoyed fall delicacies and sparkling cranberry prosecco cocktails provided by the Dig & Dream Garden Club.
Mourning at Merrehope
Full Month of October, 2023
“Gone But Not Forgotten”
“A reproduction of Victorian mourning in a neoclassical home.”
Visitors experienced the period of mourning set by Queen Victoria. This period of began in 1861 after she loss her husband Prince Albert and was embraced throughout Europe and the Americas as the proper way to mourn the loss of a loved one. The second floor of Merrehope was staged as a family living in the home would have prepared it during a period of grief. Entertaining and educational displays and artifacts were most interesting.
Mourning Monday at Merrehope
October 17th, 2023 • 5:30-7:30 PM
Mourning Monday was a special one evening presentation by funerary historian Erin Lybrand held during the month-long Mourning at Merrehope. Young Ms. Lybrand specializes in the history and preservation of funeral procedures and traditions from the past. Her extensive collection of funeral memorabilia was on exhibit downstairs for this evening only of Mourning at Merrehope. Visitors toured the full Mourning at Merrehope on the second floor.
Build & Learn at Merrehope
July 18th, 2023
This fun learning event for youth focused on architecture and preservation. Professionals engaged with the students and helped them build mini structures that were displayed throughout the community.
Bike Around Mississippi
from Merrehope & Back
July 4-8th, 2023
History teacher and veteran Edward Abdella left from Merrehope and became the first person to bike around the state of Mississippi covering over 1100 miles in 3.5 days. As part of Bike Around Mississippi, Abdella stopped at other historic buildings on the route bringing attention to historic preservation throughout Mississippi.
Petals & Prosecco at Merrehope
April 28th, 2023
Gardening and floral design enthusiasts and professionals enjoyed Petals & Prosecco presented by Dr. Jim DelPrince, an entertaining horticulture specialist and author with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Use your skills and talents as a volunteer. Honor these special homes with your donations. Join the momentum, and let’s give these treasures the love and care they deserve so they can be enjoyed today and by future generations!
Join us in celebrating and preserving Meridian’s most historic and beautiful landmarks. Friends of Merrehope play a significant role in the day-to-day operations of Merrehope and the F. W. Williams Home.
To complete your membership and pay by cash, check or money order, download the application at the link.
Click the link below and join today!
The Meridian Restorations Foundation has launched the “Raise the Roof” Capital Campaign, our comprehensive plan to save and operate Merrehope and the F.W. Williams Home.
A new roof is needed at Merrehope as well as immediate repairs to both houses. Under the Board’s leadership, Merrehope has been awarded a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for a new roof and repairs to the damage and deterioration caused by leaking rainwater. This work (Phase 1) has started, and we are raising funds for Phase 2! The roof is critical but only part of the vision. The Meridian Restorations Foundation is determined to restore Meridian’s oldest homes to their past grandeur. Partner with us in this endeavor to preserve, restore and maintain these treasures.
