Historic Rock Ford in Lancaster, Pa., is excited to once again present 18th-Century Yuletide Tours complete with period dance demonstrations. The museums Warm Hearth Committee will also provide open-hearth cooking demonstrations, and live harpsichord music will be played by Margaret Marsch, Faith Martin, and Mercy Martin on violin. Visitors will also be able to hear the voice of an actor portraying Edward Hand in his study recounting his memories of Christmas night 1776 when he and his men crossed the Delaware River and launched a surprise attack against the Hessian Garrison at Trenton. The Gen. Edward Hand Mansion will be decorated with festive greenery in the style of the 1790s. During the era that Edward Hand and his family lived at Rock Ford, the traditional English Christmas was celebrated as Yuletide, a period of gatherings, games, ghost stories, dancing and dining with family and friends. Yuletide extended over the 12-day period from Dec. 25 (which was mostly a day for religious observance) and culminated in Twelfth Night on Jan. 6, which was sometimes celebrated with a ball or an elaborate feast highlighted with a special cake. When gifts were exchanged at all, they tended to be small items or tokens of affection and were usually given on New Years Day rather than as part of the Christmas celebration. The public is invited to visit Historic Rock Ford for the celebration of Yuletide, a time when Christmas Day was only the beginning of the festive season. Yuletide tours will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., as well as Friday, Dec. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Due to limited guest capacity, advance ticket purchasing is strongly recommended through www.rockford.yapsody.com. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (65+), $12 for youth (6-17) and free of charge for children 5 and under. Historic Rock Ford is located at 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster, Pa. To learn more, call 717-392-7223.