KUMP CENTER TO CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL WITH 100 TREES DISPLAY

For Immediate Release: December 11, 2025

ELKINS—The Kump House will honor its Centennial with a 100 Christmas Trees Celebration Sunday, December 21 and 28 from 1-3 p.m. at the historic home located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins. The extraordinary display will feature decorated trees of all different types and a magical train display. A traditional evergreen tree will be in the room where Santa will visit with young guests on December 21.

The display includes trees made of candy, ceramics, cloth, foil, glass, metal, paper, plastic and painted wood as well as traditional evergreens and holly trees both inside and outdoors. “Christmas trees have changed over the years, but we still see the magic of Christmas when we share them with others,” said Heather Biola, Director of the Kump Education Center.

“The oldest tree is an antique that family members remember seeing in the mid-1950s on the front hall table. The other Christmas trees have been discovered at the Kump House and in the homes of friends of family members as well as local charities and businesses,” she added.

The event serves as a capstone for the home’s Centennial. Construction of the Kump House was completed in 1925 for Gov. H.G. Kump, his wife Edna and their family. The Kump House represents an ideal home type of the early 20th century. Washington, D.C., architect Clarence L. Harding, produced plans for this substantial house in the Neo-Federal Revival style.

The house was built by a famed local contractor, T.R. Whiteman and was considered one of the largest, finest, and most modern residences of the city. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and is now owned by the City of Elkins.

Most of the home will be available to tour and light refreshments will be served.

“We hope guests will enjoy the trees and support our efforts to secure the future for the Kump Education Center,” Biola said. While the event is free, donation are encouraged.

The Kump Education Center is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger). Parking is available behind the Kump House with easy access on Seneca Road.

For more information, visit kumpeducationcenter.com or the Kump Education Center Facebook page.

--END—

CUTLINE: Heather Biola, Kump Education Center director, starts decorating for the 100 Christmas Trees celebration at the historic Kump House in Elkins on Sunday, Dec. 21 and 28 from 1-3 p.m. Volunteer Debra Barsy assists in the background