‘Critters’ hanging on Christmas tree at Brandywine Museum – Daily Local

The Chadds Ford-Brandywine Museum comes to life over the holidays with 7,200 handcrafted “creatures” for sale and hanging on the museum’s Christmas tree.

The fields, meadows, and forests of the Brandywine Valley are perfect places to gather building materials for your one-of-a-kind creatures.

Critters resemble all kinds of beings. Made from pine cones, acorns, seeds, pods, teasel, lanaria, dried flowers and wood.

“If it’s natural and it’s dry, we use it,” Helen Springer, an eight-year Kennett Township volunteer, said Tuesday at the Critter Tree hanging at the Brandywine Museum.

Springer is one of 115 Critter Makers and likens volunteering to kindergarten for adults. Collecting and crafting creatures takes place all year round.

“I love museums and want to do my little part in supporting them,” Springer said.

Since 1985, nearly $1.5 million has been raised from the sale of the creatures, allowing the museum to purchase artworks and support art education programs for children.

Critter production began in 1971 and sales began in 1985, with 3,000 critters hanging on the Reagan White House Christmas tree. `

Volunteer Adrienne McDermott started buying critters with her mother 35 years ago.

“Six years ago, when I retired, I promised to ‘start critters’ on the moon,” she said. “Every year, I think of her mother.”

The Brandywine Member Preview Sale will be held on November 30th from 10am to 5pm at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 Creek Road. 1, 2, 3, and 4 December from 10am to 3pm. Sales at the museum he will begin December 5th and will be cash or paid.

Critters will continue to be sold at the museum for as long as they exist. Livestock can be shipped nationwide. For more information, visit brandywine.org/critters. Look back at the website for new additions.

The museum is located at 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford and has a model railroad exhibit through January 8 and is open seven days a week on public holidays, with advance reservations required until January 8.