Welcome to Cape May/Orientation Reading of "The Christmas Carol" by Dickens expert Dr. Eliot Engel

Afternoon: Program registration in hotel lobby 3PM to 5PM. Registration for guest rooms begins 4PM. Wine and cheese reception in dining room 5PM to 6PM with introductions and mini-orientation.

Dinner: Dinner served in hotel dining room

Evening: Performance: "A Christmas Carol" Dickens scholar Dr. Elliot Engel brings this holiday classic to life.

Lodging: Inn of Cape May

Meals Included: Dinner

Dickens Lecture & Seasonal Readings Victorian Social History and Architecture Lectures Architectural Walking Tour Living History Performance

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal.

Morning: An O. Henry Christmas- Dr. Engel returns to discuss the master of the short story by emphasizing the forces which shaped his unique and universally appealing fiction. Season's Spirits: The History and Mystery of Wine- Dr. Engel traces the ancient origins of wine and continues the story through the wide and often wild popularity of wine today. (Cape May Stage Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Lafayette & Bank Sts.)

Lunch: Lunch at hotel

Afternoon: Introductory lecture giving overview of Cape May history by local historian/educator. Richly illustrated lecture on Cape May's unique and unparalleled collection of Victorian architectural gems. Field trip through the historic district to see examples of architectural styles.

Dinner: Dinner served in hotel diningroom

Evening: Holly Trolley Ride. Board the MAC trolley for a guided experience through the charming gaslit streets of Cape May.

Lodging: Inn of Cape May

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dickens History and Victorian Social History Lectures/Free afternoon/Performance/staged reading

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal.

Morning: Great Expectations: Jay Friedlin, president emeritus of the Philadelphia Dickens Fellowship, leads a discussion of Great Expectations Dickens & Poe (Puppet Show & Talk): Did you know Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe met once in 1842? Herb Moskovitz from the Dickens Fellowship explores how the two authors interacted personally and professionally and how they influenced each other and changed literature forever.

Lunch: Lunch at hotel

Afternoon: Victorian Consuming Passions: The development of improvemts on our dining habits and preparations, Find out just what Mrs. Crachit feed Bob and why. (And just what Mrs. Dickens feed Charles for that matter.) “Dickens Illustrated”: James Armstrong gives a pictorial tour of the novels of Charles Dickens, focusing on the relationships Dickens had with his numerous illustrators, including Robert Seymour, Hablot K. Browne, George Cruikshank, Marcus Stone, Luke Fildes and others. We will take a close look at the interplay between text and image and examine how Dickens shaped the work of his illustrators, and vice versa.

Dinner: A four course Dickensian feast will be served at the Washington Inn. Dine in the spirit of Charles Dickens.

Evening: Free evening.

Lodging: Inn of Cape May

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lecture/Field Trip to Emlen Physick Estate/Lunch with Living History Program/Free Time/Living history performance

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot or cold breakfast.

Morning: Brush up on your etiquette and manners during this presentation in the hotel to prepare you for a visit to Dr. Physick's home. Then enjoy by a guided field trip by trolley through Cape May's Historic District to see the Victorian homes dressed for the holidays, followed by a visit to the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May's only Victorian House Museum, for a guided visit through the interior. Trolley shuttle transportation provided to and from hotel.

Lunch: Lunch at one of Cape May's famous restaurants. After lunch, a small lecture / performance will be presented by a professional playwright and actor on how the literary works of the season, such as O'Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and Moore's "A Visit from Saint Nicolas" influenced generations on just what the holiday truly means to us all.

Afternoon: The Physick Family - Dr. Emlen Physick, his mother Mrs. Frances Ralston and Aunt Emilie Parmetier, come to play a call on you at the hotel. They are prepared to share with you the news of what's happening in the Cape May of the Victorian era, including choice bits of gossip. They welcome questions about their world

Dinner: Dinner served in hotel diningroom

Evening: A professional actor will present "Sincerely Ebenezer" a one man adaptation of "A Christmas Carol."

Lodging: Inn of Cape May

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Origin of Holiday Traditions Lecture & Workshop/Winery Field Trip, Holiday film and discussion/Holiday Performance

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal.

Morning: Most of the of the holiday traditions followed today got their start in the Victorian era. This richly illustrated slide lecture shows the origins of holiday traditions. The lecture is folowed by a hands-on workshop where you'll create your own Victorian-style ornaments. Includes all supplies and instruction booklet of Victorian holiday crafts.

Lunch: Lunch at hotel

Afternoon: Visit the Cape May Winery to learn about the winemaker's craft, from growing the vines, to harvesting, to blending the grapes. Followed by a tasting of these locally made wines. Trolley shutte transportation supplied to and from the Winery.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel

Evening: Victorian views of Dickens "A Christmas Carol." Enjoy a screening of a vintage version of Dickens' famous work and discuss the reflections of life during his times.

Lodging: Inn of Cape May

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Choice of either a hot breakfast, oatmeal or cold cereal. Servers will take final count for box lunches.

Morning: Final class meeting to review final exam. A visit from America's March King and Cape May favorite, John Phillip Sousa. Diplomas will be distributed. Opportunity for feedback with instructor/coordinator.

Lunch: Lunch at hotel. Box lunch available at 10am for early departures.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch