Merry Christmas from the 18th century!

Sam Maynard, right, executive director of James White’s Fort, welcomed everyone to the Fort, as he has been doing for almost two decades! With him is Alan Carmichael.

This Christmas fruit round was on the Fort’s front door. It weighs about 150 pounds and the fruit will need to be replaced at least twice before Christmas. Holiday fruit wreaths date back to the Renaissance. The pineapple is considered to be the universal sign of welcome.

We ran into this fun duo right away. Janet Testerman, left, and Gay Lyons.

And these! Angie Wilson, left, and Liza Zenni.

Politics, politics, politics. That’s what these three were talkng! Conservative columnist Brian Hornback, left, City Council Member Seema Singh, and Knox County Republican Party Chairman Buddy Burkhardt.

The Fort’s food was a hit!

James White, who received a land grant in appreciation for his service in the Revolutionary War, built a two-story log cabin on the property and later surrounded it with a stockade fence. We decided to venture upstairs to see the cabin’s bedroom. It accommodated 10 to 12 family members!

The beds did not look comfortable.

I asked what that metal contraption with a long hanle was. “Is it a popcorn popper?” I speculated. “No,” I was assured. It was a bed warmer — settlers filled it with hot coals and placed it under the bedclothes to warm them up in the winter.

Chamber pots.

When we went back downstairs, State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey had shown up. Here she is with Sam, left, and Alan.

From left, Knox County Commissioner Terry Hill, Steve Hill, Knox County Clerk Sherry Witt, and Marilyn Childress.

Another welcoming fruit display.

We were told that James White Fort’s curator, Robert McGinnis, created all the fruit decorations.

Here’s another.

From left, Shay Witt, Zibbie Kerin, and Martha Bachrach.

A charming display, even without fruit.

After about an hour, we headed over to Blount Mansion.

And its adjacent property, the Craighead-Jackson House, built circa 1818. Here are Dr. Susan Martin, president-elect of the Blount Mansion Board, and Alan Carmichael in front of that house.

We love these two: Martha Kern and John Niceley.

And these! David Butler, left, and Ted Smith.

Visitors from the 18th century: Diane Lovejoy and Robert Alders.

The food at Blount Mansion was fantastic! It was provided by Classy Caterer.

It was great seeing University of Tennessee Chancellor Emeritus Jimmy Cheek and his wife, Ilene.

Stuart Cassell and Kim Trent.

Jim Grossen and Sara Phillips.

Best outfits! Chris and Jana Huddleston.

There was a nice crowd!

Great seeing our friends Polly and Daryl Johnson.

And Don Hough and Jan Bechtel.

Wanda and John Sobieski.

Christmas carols and traditional tunes were provided by Nicholas Horner and Ryan Dunaway.

From left, Michael Jordan, Lisa Oakley, Patrick Hollis and Krista Wiegand.

I asked my friend, historian Jack Neely, to “do something historic” for a photo. So, he stood in front of George Washington’s portrait! And he related that Washington became disappointed in the antics of Gov. William Blount, who built Blount Mansion. Long story.

Our downtown neighbors and friends Monique and Bruce Anderson.

As we left Blount Mansion, we saw the moon hanging over the City-County Building, which was decorated with small Christmas trees on its garage. Fun night.