Every December, Lauralton Hall’s Victorian Gothic Mansion turns into a winter wonderland for one of the school’s biggest traditions, Christmas in the Mansion.
The annual fundraising event began in 1990 under the leadership of then Development Director Mrs. Beth Griffin. The event was discontinued in 2010, for about seven years, until it started up again in 2017.
According to the Lauralton Hall website, in 1864, the mansion was built for Charles Hobby Pond, a wealthy descendant of a Colonial Milford family. Pond was the commissioning owner and named it “Island View.” In 1889, it was later owned by Henry Augustus Taylor, who named it “Lauralton Hall” after both his mother and deceased daughter. In 1905, the Sisters of Mercy bought the property to turn it into a Catholic school for young women.
Lauralton Hall continues to educate and empower girls, keeping that mission alive for over a century.
During Christmas in the Mansion, people can tour the decorated rooms, shop from over 60 local vendors, take pictures with Santa, and enjoy treats and music.
Lauralton Hall’s Director of Advancement, Kathleen Donahue, says, “You’ll also have the chance to win raffle items including gourmet baskets, handcrafted goods, and one of the ’12 Trees of Christmas’ decorated by our parents, students, faculty, and staff.”
The night before Christmas in the Mansion, there is a preview party on December 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., where guests can enjoy live music and holiday appetizers. On December 7, 2025, there is a 9:00 a.m.Sunday Mass is held before the event, opening at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.
This event is important to the Lauralton community because it manages to bring everyone together.
Current students volunteer, alumni return, and families within Milford come to enjoy the decorations and shop. It’s not just about celebrating Christmas; it’s about celebrating through traditions as a community.
Junior Ella Fosse-Previs has tons of fun while volunteering for Christmas in the Mansion.
Fosse-Previs states, “I like to help with the admissions and hot cocoa room because I get to talk with all of the prospective students and tell them how much I love this school.”
Many people attend this event. “Depending on the year, our Preview Party will have anywhere from 250 to 325 guests. Our Sunday event attracts 1,500+ guests,” states Donahue.
They count the number of people by tracking the admissions fee paid. Admission on Sunday, Dec. 7, is $10 per person, with children under 12 free, and tickets can be purchased here: Christmas in the Mansion Tickets
The money raised from the event goes back to the school for educational opportunities and scholarships for students.
“This event requires an extraordinary amount of help,” says Donahue. People from all over the community pitch in to get the event off the ground. The Decoration Team is led by Mrs. Mini Nelsen, alumna parent ‘07, who works year-round to bring the Mansion to life. Each year, they select a theme and color palette for the decor.
The 2025 theme is “Tis the Season. Fa La La La La,” featuring a classic red and white color scheme.
For the preview party, guests will enjoy: hors d’oeuvres, a light dinner buffet, and dessert, open bar and traditional wassail, live holiday music, early shopping with 65+ boutique vendors, raffles, and more.
Reservations for the Preview Party can be found here: Preview Party Reservations
