Local history and holiday preparations came together on Saturday as the public was invited to get into the Christmas spirit inside the Fearing Tavern.

Organized by the Wareham Garden Club and Wareham Historical Society, “Gateway to the Holidays” featured each room of the historic tavern’s first floor filled with displays of seasonal decorations crafted by Garden Club members. Dressed in era-appropriate outfits, Historical Society members were on hand to answer questions about the tavern, which was first built in 1690 and played a prominent role in the town’s early days.

The event followed a similar effort between the two groups that resulted in the restoration of the tavern’s herb garden earlier this summer. Before that, the groups hadn’t collaborated on a project in about a decade.

“It was great that we were able to work together and help bring people into the tavern,” said Donna Greenwood, who is a member of the Garden Club and Historical Society. “There should be more collaborations like this between groups in town; it benefits everybody and brings people together.”

Visitors were treated to a decorated Christmas tree, handmade wreaths and carefully crafted displays of flowers. In the tavern’s mailroom, which served as Wareham’s first post office, there were materials for writing letters to Santa.

Garden Club member Dianne Murphy said each letter would be mailed to the North Pole. Before Christmas, children who sent wish lists would receive an official letter back from the jolly old St. Nick himself, with a little help from the Garden Club, naturally.

In conjunction with “Gateway to the Holidays,” the Historical Society held a craft fair a short walk away from the tavern inside the Methodist Meeting House.

Historical Society President Angela Dunham said the day proved to be a success for both groups.

“I am very proud of all of the hard work the Garden Club members did decorating the Fearing Tavern,” said Dunham. “It looks so good- it’s a shame the decorations will all be taken down later today.”