Photo: Patty (Stutzman) Paulus
In late November, you know the holidays are right around the corner as the outside of the Heritage House magically comes to life. For over 25 years, several generations of the Raths Family (one of the oldest families in Woodbury and the original owners of the land and building) have come together on the Saturday following Thanksgiving to decorate the outside of the house and its surrounding fence with colorful wreaths and garlands.
This family tradition is spearheaded by Sheila (Raths) Hause, a board director of the Woodbury Heritage Society and great-great-granddaughter of Frederick and Sophia Raths, who emigrated from Germany in 1853 and came to Woodbury in 1864. After spending the morning together adorning the Heritage House, which was built in 1870 as an addition to a log cabin, the Raths family always gathers for a group photo to celebrate their annual decorating tradition before heading to a lively brunch.
Patty (Stutzman) Paulus is a Woodbury Heritage Society board member. Discover more at woodburyheritage.org.
