Historic holiday decor in the Village of Rockville Centre

Two of Rockville Centre’s most historic buildings are displaying holiday decorations with stories to tell this season.

The Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre has decorated two large Christmas trees inside the Phillips House — one with Victorian-era kitchen utensils and the other with more traditional Christmas ornaments originating from different times and places.

“They come from all over,” said Frank Seipp, president of the Rockville Centre Historic Society.

Seipp has collected the antique ornaments over the past 25 years, he said. Many are between 60 and 70 years old, and he especially likes the German, glass-blown ornaments on the tree.

In addition, the museum has on display several dainty, goose-feather Christmas trees. These came to be in the 1880s, Seipp said. They are made from dyed goose feathers wired to look like needles of a German pine tree.

Seipp is a long-time antique collector and retired auctioneer. Some of the museum’s collections are his own findings from the past 40 years. Village residents have donated others, including wedding dresses, toy dolls and dollhouses.

The public is encouraged to stop by and learn about these historic pieces. Phillips House is open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

One of Seipp’s favorite collections is comprised of about 40 Santa figurines dressed in blue and white, which he has gathered over the past four decades.

While he usually displays them at the museum during Christmastime, he decided this year to loan them to Frank’s Steaks at the Lincoln Inn to showcase. Patrons can stop in and learn fun facts about the history of Santa Claus.

Nowadays, Santa is typically portrayed wearing red and white. However, Santa Claus’s popular appearance has fluctuated over time. In the 1800s, he was a thin man wearing blue and white. Since the 1930s, when the Coca Cola Company dressed him in red for its ads, the plump, red image of Santa Claus has endured.

“It’s a very rare collection that you don’t see often,” said Michael Delahanty, the restaurant’s Maitre d’Hotel, who decorated the space this year, “and it’s fun to have patrons ask about them. It’s a great conversation piece.”

Recently, the restaurant changed its name from “Frank’s Steaks” to “Frank’s Steaks at the Lincoln Inn” to reflect the history that the late-1800s building holds. This is one reason the restaurant decided to display the Santa collection this year.

“We’re bringing back the old-world charm that this place has had for many years,” Delahanty said. “Families for three to four generations have been coming here, and they reminisce about weddings, bridal showers … once the family comes here, they keep coming back.”

Dine in at Frank’s Steaks to see the blue Santa Claus collection. The restaurant will host Christmas carolers this Saturday and Sunday to add to the holiday spirit.