Victorian Christmas was originally created to highlight the downtown merchants and historic buildings. The idea to recreate the Mooresville town center into a Victorian wonderland began 20 years ago by the Mooresville Revitalization Group, formed to maintain the town’s character and charm for future generations. The Mooresville Revitalization Committee was a community collective that encouraged community pride & success through downtown events, beautification projects, local business involvement, and community volunteerism.

The idea to recreate the Mooresville town center into a Victorian wonderland began 35 years ago by the Mooresville Revitalization Group, formed to maintain the town’s character and charm for future generations. Shop owner Beth Mathers, Paul Bryant of the Mooresville Revitalization Group and civic leader Norman Connell were some of the first organizers.  Beth co-owned the Jenny Wren Press with famed author Tasha Tudor.  

MRG believed that an active and successful downtown is an essential part of any thriving community.  Victorian Christmas itself started as a collaboration with business owners, citizens, government officials, and community organizations in an effort to facilitate mutual support, recognition, and the exchanging of ideas. 

Through the years, volunteers led the effort to preserve and beautify downtown Mooresville.  These projects have included brick sidewalks, tree-lined streets, community planters, Hadley Mini-park and old-fashioned street lamps.  In 1999, the committee was successful in seeking a National Historic Register designation for the Mooresville Commercial District.  This district includes the buildings one block east, west, north and south of the Main Street and Indiana Street intersection.   MRG proudly supported the re-purposing of Historic buildings, including the Town Government Center, new restaurants, and retail businesses.   

Annual downtown events included Mardi Gras, Community Street Fair, Roots and Rhythm Fest, and Victorian Christmas. Volunteers always strive to unleash the potential of our downtown, the history, and future for our businesses and community.