STATE COLLEGE — Every December, as snow dusts the iron fences and the air turns crisp with the scent of pine and cider, the Centre Furnace Mansion transforms into something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas scene. Twinkling lights, garlands and the sound of cheerful chatter fill the historic halls as the Centre County Historical Society’s annual Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market opens its doors once again.
Now celebrating its 23rd year, the Stocking Stuffer has become one of Centre County’s most cherished holiday traditions. What began in 2002 as a small open house has blossomed into a three-day event that draws nearly 1,000 visitors each year and contributes up to 15 percent of the Historical Society’s annual operating budget.
“It started as a holiday open house, but our early organizers saw an opportunity to make it something more,” said CCHS Executive Director Mary Sorensen. “They wanted a signature fundraiser that would also connect people with local history and creativity, and that’s exactly what it’s become.”
The transformation of the Mansion each December is a labor of love. Designers from Daniel Vaughn Designs and Avant Garden join forces with a small army of volunteers to turn the 19th-century estate into a festive wonderland. Local sponsors — including Scholar Hotels, McQuaide Blasko, Kish Bank, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Rapid Transit Sports — help cover event costs so that proceeds directly support the Historical Society’s preservation work and community programming.
“The Mansion becomes magical,” said long-time Stocking Stuffer Chair Deb McManus. “Visitors can expect to feel the holiday spirit the moment they step through the door. We have nearly 50 artisans, antique dealers and crafters offering everything from pottery and jewelry to nature-inspired holiday décor and specialty foods. Each piece is carefully curated to reflect the quality and creativity of our region.”
Beyond the sparkle and shopping, the Stocking Stuffer serves a deeper purpose. It’s a bridge between the past and present, connecting residents to the area’s history while celebrating its living artists and makers. Many first-time visitors discover the Centre Furnace Mansion during the event and return later for tours, lectures and educational programs. The market even features Historical Society publications and locally made goods crafted by volunteers, allowing guests to leave with a piece of Centre County’s story.
Behind the scenes, the event is a community-wide effort that requires months of planning and hundreds of helping hands.
“Every year, we rely on between 250 volunteer slots and roughly 800 to 900 hours of volunteer time,” Sorensen said. “It’s an incredible show of dedication. People come back year after year to decorate, bake, set up or simply greet visitors. It’s become a tradition not just for shoppers, but for those who make it happen.”
This year’s team includes McManus, who oversees the event’s overall staging, CCHS Marketing and Events Coordinator Johanna Sedgwick, who manages vendor logistics and setup and Archives Coordinator Katy Stager, who brings fresh energy to the mix after years of volunteering. Together, they orchestrate the moving parts with the precision of Santa’s workshop.
Of course, the reward comes when the doors finally open.
“Once the halls are filled with laughter, the scent of mulled cider from Way Fruit Farm, and holiday potpourri drifting through the rooms, we know it’s all worth it,” McManus said. “It’s when the Mansion feels alive.”
As for the future, organizers say they plan to keep the event’s heart the same while continuing to evolve.
“Every year we look for small ways to refresh the experience,” Sorensen said. “We change the decorations, bring in new artisans and find creative ways to use the Mansion’s historic spaces. But at its core, the Stocking Stuffer is about community. It’s where people come to kick off their holiday season.”
For many in Centre County, that’s exactly what it’s become: the unofficial start of Christmas. A place where handmade gifts meet local history, where volunteers and visitors alike find warmth in tradition and where the past and present share a little holiday magic under the same roof.
