More than 100 people attended the Christmas open house at the William Jennings Bryan Birthplace on South Broadway in Salem.
One of the hostesses was Bryan’s wife, Mary, played by Michelle Barbee.
“We are portraying 1895, and that was the last Christmas that they were here in Salem at this home with Mr. Bryan’s mother,” Barbee said. “She was ill and this was her last Christmas here in the home.”
Barbee noted Mary traveled with her husband and participated in many of his endeavors.
Bryan’s oldest daughter Ruth also handed out refreshments. She was played by Tina Hayes.
“I went on to be the first woman elected to Congress as well as being ambassador to the Netherlands. I was the first woman ever to do that in the United States,” she said. “Ruth definitely looked up to her father a lot, and so when I was researching her and coming up with a character for her, I sort of took the idea that she looked up to him, and so she was going to be a public speaker.”
Mary and Ruth Bryan arrived in an early 1900’s car to a large number waiting to take the first tour of the home.
The decorations included a period Christmas tree, live greenery outside the home, and on the steps leading to the second story.
