HUDSON, Mich. — There is not a day in the year that the William G. Thompson House Museum in Hudson is not a display of beauty and treasures that attracts visitors from distant points.

But from now through Jan. 6, it’s Christmas throughout the 1890 Queen Anne-style mansion, where visitors are invited to peek in on the season as three generations of the Thompson family observed the holidays.

Beginning in the kitchen, continuing through the first floor rooms, up the winding staircase, and into the second floor bedrooms, the tour reveals decorations including a tree, wreaths, and other Christmas décor.

Pat Rowley, who serves on the museum board of directors, begins the Christmas project at Halloween and keeps a steady pace until she is satisfied that every tree is standing tall and every ribbon is straight.

Pat supports the placement of the Christmas memorabilia with sound reasons. There’s a reason why the tree in one bedroom is vivid pink with green baubles and why the table in the first floor library is fitted for coffee and brandy.

Since Mr. Thompson’s death in 2004 at age 91, when the decision was made to grant his wish that his home and its lifetime of treasures would become a public museum, Pat has become a student of the Thompson family history.

That is how she is sure the pink and green tree is right for the bedroom that was occupied by Louise Thompson, who was William Thompson’s mother. Those were her favorite colors. As for the table set up for coffee and brandy in the library, Pat fathoms that the men might gather there after dinner. Photographs of the Thompson men are displayed in the library: William and his brother Ed, their father William and grandfather G.I., and his brother William. G.I. founded the banking business in Hudson that was continued by the next two generations.

Pat chose a Victorian-style tree with blue and silver icicles and candy canes for the library.

Beginning the tour in the kitchen, Pat’s idea to utilize museum collections in Christmas decor is an inspiration for teacup collectors. The branches on a tall slender tree that stands on top of an antique range are filled with hanging teacups from Mr. Thompson’s collection.

Pat’s artistic flair is well-practiced year around in and out of the museum. She holds a degree in fine arts from Siena Heights University in Adrian and has also studied interior design. The gardens at the museum are also in her care, giving her a chance to practice her master gardening training from Michigan State University. She and her husband Claude reside in Hudson.

Although Pat wants every visitor to see and learn about the history of the holiday pieces, she has added them tastefully within the extensive museum exhibits. The trees, wreaths, and garlands look very much at home.

When several sets of china in a holly pattern appeared, Pat decided the best way to display them was on bed trays. Hence, each bed has an attractive tray ready for Christmas breakfast. Other china passed through the generations is displayed for public view.

A decorated tree stands on the top shelf of an ornate sideboard overlooking the dining room table, which is set with Louise Thompson’s Lenox china in a soft green and gold pattern, her monogrammed sterling silverware, and crystal wine goblets.

Christmas is not the only season when the dining room table is a focus for Thompson family china. Pat changes the settings for Valentine’s Day, Easter, July 4, late summer, and Thanksgiving. And for each, there is an appropriate china pattern.

In the music room, the grand piano now takes second place after the heavily flocked Christmas tree that is definitely a reflection of the ’50s, Pat says.

More cherished family china takes center stage in the front parlor, where Pat imagines the Thompson ladies may have wanted to sit down for tea and sweets. The china is the Christmas rose pattern by Havilland, arranged on a white pulled-thread cloth.

There was no question where the 9-foot Christmas tree would be placed in the front parlor. It is exactly where each Thompson generation put their tree, according to photographs.

Like Louise’s bedroom with the pink and green tree, the other second floor bedrooms reflect the era and the tastes of the residents.

A tall, slender woodland tree and elementary red and green paper chains in the twin room are indicative of décor trends when the room was shared by brothers Ed and William Thompson. Bed furnishings add trivia beyond their boyhood years. The brothers attended Asheville Prep School in Asheville, N.C., hence the Asheville pillow scarf. That William graduated from Brown University explains the scarf on the other bed.

Pat made strings of popcorn that, with small candles, adorn the tree in the largest bedroom, called the married suite, that was once occupied by G.I. and his wife Sophia, who had the house built.

It’s obvious what Miss Emmie, who was for many years the Thompsons’ housekeeper, enjoyed. Her love of nature is recognized in a tree decorated with red cardinals in her bedroom.

Books that are sold in the museum visitors center include Yesterday and Today in Hudson by Ray Lennard, museum curator, for $15.

The Christmas decorations will be up through Jan. 6. Pat and Ray give informative museum tours all year. Tours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning at 12:30 p.m. or anytime by appointment. Tickets are $7.50, $5 for seniors and students, and $3 for children 5 to 15. Reservations are recommended by calling 517-448- 8125 or visit thompsonmuseum. org.

Mary Alice Powell is a retired Blade food editor. Contact her at poseypowell@aol.com.

First Published December 10, 2017, 5:00 a.m.