Peace On Earth ~ 35th Annual Hughes House Christmas Celebration.
Now in its 35th year, this beloved Southern Oregon Coast tradition is hosted by the Cape Blanco Heritage Society. This is the time of year when our community comes together to celebrate the season and decorate the beautiful Victorian farmhouse built for pioneers Patrick and Jane Hughes to a theme which this year is “Peace on Earth”.
The celebration begins with an Open House on December 13. The home will be open from 10AM to 4PM daily for public viewing through December 18th. During the open house event, hosts will be available to answer questions. You can learn more about ranch life more than 100 years ago and about the couple’s seven children, one of whom was a longtime keeper at Cape Blanco Lighthouse. You can also learn more about the history of the area and latest news regarding the Cape Blanco Heritage Society. Light refreshments will be served.
On Friday, December 19th, through Sunday, December 21st, Main Street Teas will be held with two seatings of eight at 10:30AM and 12:30PM. The menu this year includes clam chowder, salad, sandwiches, scones, charcuterie skewers, cakes, cream puffs, and a variety of beverages. Reservations are $45 per person. For more information or reservations call Kitty Million, 541-604-0524.
This year we have two dates set for our Holiday Music Concerts which will be held on December 20 and 21 following Main Street Teas. The concerts are in celebration of the 155th anniversary of the first lighting of the Cape Blanco Lighthouse’s lamp in its first order fresnel lens on December 20, 1870. Our musical performers this year will be Just Jensens on December 20th at 2:30PM followed by Mark, Amy and Deb at 3:30-5ish. On December 21st, we will be entertained by Torsti Rovainen from 2:30PM-4:30pm. All concerts will be in the Main Parlor of the house.
The Holiday Open House resumes for two encore dates on December 22 and 23rd from 10AM to 4PM. We highly encourage everyone to come to the Hughes House to see the beautiful pioneer home decorated by the community.
Please visit our gift shop for the Heritage Art Auction at any time during the festivities and place a bid on the lovely works that have been donated to support our historic sites. Bidding closes at at the end of the Open House on December 23 2025.
TO GET THERE: From Highway 101, 4.5 miles north of Port Orford and 26 miles south of Bandon, travel west on Cape Blanco Road. After you cross the marshy bottomland, the road begins to climb and soon you will see a sign on your right, then the entrance to the house.
Please call Priscilla at 541-253-6166 if you are interested in participating by decorating, hosting or preparing dessert. Come join us! ⎈⎈⎈
2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
- Hughes House Christmas: December 13-23 (see planning calendar above for schedule in progress)
- Museum OPEN ~ CBHS Annual Membership Meeting: Winter 2025/26
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- Opening Day: April 1 (Cape Blanco Lighthouse Greeting Center Gift Shop); May 1 (Port Orford Lifeboat Station Museum) and September 17 (Hughes House and Ranch - delayed opening due to exterior renovations). Open until Closing Day from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, every day except Tuesday (All 3 locations, if we have sufficient volunteers).
- CBHS Board Meetings: Currently held at Point.B Studio at 10:00 AM (open to everyone): 2nd Tuesday each month.
- Oregon State Parks Day: June 7.
- Jerry Can Races: July 4th at 2:00PM (Port Orford Jubilee) - [Download Results]
- Artists at the Hughes House: Postponed. To be rescheduled.
- Coast Guard Day/Lighthouse Day Celebration: (Concert in the Park with the Allen Giardinelli Trio). August 3rd, 1PM to 4PM. - [Download Posters]
- Art Exhibit: "Save Our Lighthouse" through October 31. Encore at the “Peace On Earth” Heritage Auction.
- Closing Day: September 29 (Hughes House and Port Orford Lifeboat Station Museum); October 31 (Cape Blanco Lighthouse Greeting Center Gift Shop). 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- ESA Christmas Bazaar: Friday, Dec. 5 (2PM-7PM) and Saturday, Dec. 6 (9AM-3PM).
SAVE OUR LIGHTHOUSE CONTINUES ...
Journey to Cape Blanco in 2025 to see the "Save Our Lighthouse" art exhibit in progress in the Greeting Center Gift Shop/Interpretive Center and the Hughes House. Many thanks to the artists who have donated work so far to save the Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Proceeds go towards our ongoing efforts to restore the lighthouse so it can be reopened to public tours. Learn more at our website: saveourlighthouse.net. The art catalogue will be updated as new works are available. If you are interested in acquiring any of the works on display, please talk to our cashier or contact the Cape Blanco Heritage Society at 541-332-0521.
ABOVE: "Save Our Lighthouse" painting by artist Darren Evans is the signature work of the “Save Our Lighthouse” Exhibit. Also check out Emmy award-winning cinematographer David Fortney's beautiful film that was on display for Lighthouse Day and the US Lighthouse Society's 40th Anniversary. BELOW: Thanks so much to Charles Ziga of Ziga Media/Maritime Retro for creating these two beautiful posters of the Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Watch for more art and events in 2026!
