The Greene Academy, located in Carmichaels, hosted its 40th Annual Christmas Craft Show Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 11, from noon-4 p.m. Admission was free, and there were no parking fees.   

Back in the 1800s, the Greene Academy building was originally an Episcopalian church, and then became a school, said Carole Gideon, treasurer with the academy. Native field sandstone that was used for the church in 1790 is still on display there.

Gideon has been involved with the Greene Academy for 30 years. She said that the objective of the Greene Academy is split into two parts, one of which being protection of the historic building.

“Our mission is promotion of the arts,” Gideon said. “The second part of our mission is preserving the building. So, those are  our two main goals.”

The crafts at the show were made by members of the board for the Greene Academy, who are citizens of Greene and Fayette counties, Gideon said. The Christmas Craft Show was spread throughout the two floors of the building and offered free food including cookies, brownies and homemade lunch. Historical objects, such as shirts, Christmas decorations, Christmas ornaments, wooden pens, soaps, paintings and quilts, were sold off in a Chinese auction.

“Our goal is for people to come and help out the crafters,” said Gideon. “All we ask is that everything is handmade.”

Upon entering the  first floor of the Greene Academy building, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greeted visitors, while holiday tunes were played on a piano. Once inside, different smells such as cinnamon, homemade cookies and soaps filled the building.

One of Gideon’s favorite aspects of the event is simply interacting with those who come visit.

“I love seeing the people and talking to everybody in attendance,” Gideon said.