It’s time to celebrate Christmas at the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and in Elizabethton — the historic Carter Mansion, located at 1031 Broad Street Ext.

Christmas at the Carter Mansion will be celebrated colonial-style Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. both days.

Visitors are invited to join Col. John Carter, the Carter family, and all their friends for a glimpse into simpler times, when Christmas was the grandest celebration of the entire year. In colonial America, the Christmas season was celebrated as a month-long array of merriment and festivities signaled by caroling, feasting, dances, foxhunts, and the firing of Christmas guns.

Although the Carter Family lived on the frontier, their Christmas celebration was far from simple or humble. They displayed an opulence only seen in the finest homes of Williamsburg or Philadelphia.

Built between 1775-80 by John and Landon Carter, the Carter Mansion is the oldest standing frame house in the state of Tennessee. Both John and Landon were strong business, political and military leaders in the Watauga Settlement in the late 18th century.  The interior of the home is noted for its elaborate architecture which includes hand carved panels, crown molding, and chair railing. Considered the oldest paintings known in the state, two over-mantle paintings can be seen over the fireplace in Carter’s office and upstairs in the master bedroom.

Prior to Carter’s arrival, Native Americans lived at this site as documented by archaeological studies in 1923, the 1970s, and more recently in the Fall of 2016. Three centuries before Carter’s arrival, evidence suggests that there was a thriving town and community here. For thousands of years before that, Native Americans used this land for seasonal campsites.

The home will be decorated with bright greenery for the holidays. There will be music, hot cider, and 18th century interpreters as they share a Colonial American Christmas with visitors.

Tours are by registration only, and a new tour starts every 20 minutes, beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour at 8:40 p.m.

Admission is $7 for adults; $3 for children ages 7 to 17; and free for children under 6.