An Easter That Won’t End in Deviled Eggs

According to the “eggs-perts” in “The Joy of Cooking,” we have the Imperial Russian Court to thank for the custom of decorating eggs at Easter.

The illustrious cookbook offers no further detail on the Russian contribution to Easter eggs (a custom attributed elsewhere to the ritual thanking of the sun for warmth), but it does make several suggestions for what to do with all those eggs. You can try, for example, creamed eggs with asparagus Cockaigne, egg and vegetable casserole and eggs in savory sauce as well as the old standby, deviled eggs.

But this year, the Heritage Square Museum is offering a much simpler solution to the leftover Easter egg problem. The museum’s docents have made 250 Easter egg cutouts of construction paper. They’re decorated with cloth, sparkles and painted flowers. On Easter, they’ll be hidden around the Victorian houses at the Highland Park museum village for children 8 and under to find.

None of the children will have to be content with something resembling their latest crafts project. The construction paper eggs will be turned in for small packages of candy.

“We make sure that every kid gets something,” said Becky Ballinger, director of business and public services for the museum.

And no one need worry about not finding any eggs. Alice, the Mad Hatter, the King of Hearts and others from Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland will be on hand to entertain and help the little ones in their search.

There are actually two hunts, one for children 6 to 8, and the other for 5 and under. After the hunt, the kids move on to a “tea” party featuring orange drink, and a croquet game played by the Wonderland characters, as portrayed by “Time Voyagers,” a local interactive performance group. Anyone over 8 years old can take in tours of the 19th-Century buildings given by guides in Victorian dress.

There are eight structures and flowers and lawns on the three acres of city park. “People are encouraged to bring picnics,” Ballinger said. All of the structures were built before 1899 at other locations and were moved to the park. “Some were literally dragged out in front of the wrecking ball,” Ballinger said.

The Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., will be open Easter at its regular hours: noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children between the ages of 12 and 17, and $1 for children 6 to 11. Children under 6 are free when accompanied by an adult.

As for what to do about the chocolate all down the front of the brand new Easter clothes, you’ll have to turn to other “eggs-perts.”