Christmas at the DeGolyer House

Since we moved to the Dallas area we have taken the trip to the Dallas Arboretum to see the "12 Days of Christmas" display, and the Christmas themed display at the DeGolyer House that sits in the middle of of the Arboretum.

The DeGolyer House

The Front of the DeGolyer House

Born in 1886, Everette Lee DeGolyer was a leader in oil and gas exploration, and even invented a scientific method for finding oil. "De", as he was known, also was the owner of the"Saturday Review of Literature" and other publications. His library on Spanish Colonial American is one of the largest in the world. He was known as a renaissance man and as the "father of geophysical exploration'. You should really research Mr. Degolyer and his history because it is fascinating.

De met Nell at the University of Oklahoma, they married and had children. While living in Texas and in their middle age they built the Rancho Encinal, a Spanish Colonial house, on White Rock Lake in 1939. The CEO of the Arboretum said, "They knew exactly what they wanted." The house was the first in Dallas to have air conditioning, along with large closets, drop ceilings and screened in doors. They were definitely ahead of the times. This was a 44 acre estate with a 4 1/2 acre formal garden that overlooked White Rock Lake. The DeGolyers lived in the home for the rest of their lives. After the death of their mother the children donated the estate to Southern Methodist University. The city of Dallas purchased it from SMU and built the Arboretum around it.

At Christmas the house is turned into a themed museum of sorts. We have been through the house the last three years and it is simply amazing. The first year it was decorated with Santa Claus' from all over the world. Most rooms also have a decorated Christmas tree that they change the decorations on each year. Below are a few pictures of the year featuring Santa Claus.

Last year the DeGolyer House was decorated with Nutcrackers from several different collectors. I have never seen that many nutcrackers in one place. They were funny, detailed and beautiful. Below are a few pictures of the year of the nutcracker.

I had to take a picture of the Hockey player Nutcracker.

This year the Christmas theme for the house was, "The Artistry of the Nativity." There are not only nativities from all over the world in all the open rooms, but the atrium had a life size nativity.

Below are just a small sample of the all the beautiful nativities and trees displayed this year in the DeGolyer House at the Dallas Arboretum.

This is part of a nativity display that included a temple in the town of Bethlehem. 

A Mouse Nativity? I am not sure why.

This Wiseman and Camel were life size.

I love the nativity on the Angel's skirt.

This was the life size Nativity in the atrium. It was night, so the picture was a bit dark, but you get the idea.

This was the creepiest picture I took that night. The picture of Nell DeGolyer looks like she is holding a candelabra in her hands like an the angel standing over the nativity.

You can tour the DeGolyer House year round when you visit the Dallas Arboretum, but it is very special at Christmas time when the house is full of beautiful and unique Christmas collections.