As we walked into the historic area, I was instantly charmed by the gorgeous Christmas decorations that I had heard about for years.
18th Century Christmas
In the 1930’s, when the historic area of Williamsburg was being restored to its colonial past, contemporary Santa Clauses and flashing electric lights outside the residents’ homes didn’t quite lend themselves to a colonial ambiance for the guests.
At that time, there were only a few exhibition buildings and many homeowners in the historic area who had lived in their historic homes for years.
Pondering how to treat visitors to a colonial Christmas at the newly opened Colonial Williamsburg, while not stepping on the toes of the current homeowners, researchers set forth on a quest to discover charming colonial Christmas traditions.
Research revealed no historical Christmas decorations in colonial times.
When Virginia was a colony, the state church of England was Anglican, which observed Christmas as a solemn religious time.
Festivities didn’t start until the day after Christmas, continuing for twelve days…hence the name, the Twelve Days of Christmas.
In fact, George and Martha Washington, who loved celebrations, married at the end of the Twelve days of Christmas, because it was their favorite time of year.
Colonial Revival Style 1920s
One gentleman suggested an old tradition in his family that went back to the 19th century, that of putting a lit candle in the window.
This idea made the founder of Colonial Williamsburg nervous, so special attendants were hired to put candles in a bowl of water in the few exhibition homes.
The invention of electric candles solved this problem.
Local homeowners of the historic homes and guests to the area liked the idea so much, that they bought out the supply of electric candles in the local stores.
As guests took their candles to their own homes, the tradition spread around the country.
From popular decorating magazines sprung the idea to decorate homes with greenery for swags, garlands, and wreaths.
To encourage the 1930s homeowners, a contest began, which continues to this day.
Decorating magazines now feature Colonial Williamsburg for this tradition.
While nursery staff decorate the exhibition buildings, home owners or hired professionals decorate the the private homes.
Christmas Day in the Morning Music Program
At the museum we saw a special musical Christmas program called Christmas Day in the Morning which featured two colonial musicians who played period Christmas songs with interesting period instruments.
Colonial Revival Christmas Tour of Historic Homes
After the music program, we braved the cold and rain to tour of some of the private homes of the historic area where big donors and employees live.
The Greensprings Garden Club decorates each of these tour homes for Christmas in the Colonial Revival style.
One of the homes we visited was that of the actor/interpreter who portrays Thomas Jefferson, who greeted everyone at the front door!
Subscription Ball
In between visiting some of the houses, we attended the Subscription Ball at the Raleigh Tavern, where admission fees go to the needy.
Entering the Apollo Room we watched several of the actor/interpreters dance, which included Patrick Henry!
It was very dark in there, lit by a few candles.
After we sang God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, we learned a round to sing, then we played a game.
The interpreters told us to draw a playing card out of a hat, then we stood in order according to the number on the one side of the card.
On the other side we found a phrase to read, in the order of our placement, resulting in the reading of a poem.
Whoever drew the king buys everyone a round of drinks!
After the Subscription Ball, some of the actors noted that they recognized us and chatted with us.
Christmastide at Home Evening Tour
Keeping our hands warm at a lit cresset near the Greenhow Lumber Ticket office, we waited to begin our evening tour of Christmas Tide at Home.
Led through the dark streets by an 18th century cloaked interpreter carrying a lantern to light our path, he told us the Christmas history of Williamsburg.
CHRISTMAS BOXES: CHISTMASTIDE AT HOME
Arriving at the kitchen of the Governor’s Palace, we met a slave mother who was surprised by the visit of her son from a nearby plantation on Christmas Eve.
Through that skit, we learned that slaves and servants received Christmas money from those they worked for, a tradition called Christmas Boxes that we now know as Boxing Day.
FIRING OF THE GUNS: CHISTMASTIDE AT HOME
Then we went to the carriage house where we saw a soldier from the Virginia militia meet with his sister.
After a short reunion, he explained why he would not yet marry the lady he loved.
He had no property.
Thus, he volunteered to fight with General Washington in return for land.
Then he fired a gun, customary in eighteenth-century Virginia and still done today on Christmas Eve in Colonial Williamsburg.
FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE: CHISTMASTIDE AT HOME
From there we entered the outbuilding nearest the kitchen of the Governor’s Palace, representing 1842 at the Tucker House, an actual home in the historic area, near the Governo’s Palace.
Recently arrived from German, the new professor for the College of William and Mary boarded at the Tucker House.
That Christmas he surprised the Tucker children with his tradition of the Christmas tree, taught them the songs Stille Nacht and O Tannenbaum, then closed with a cozy reading of A Visit from St. Nick.
(I loved the 19th century costumes!)
COLONIAL REVIVAL DURING WORLD WAR II: CHISTMASTIDE AT HOME
Finally, we arrived at the outbuilding on the other side of the palace, transporting us to WWII in Colonial Williamsburg.
Entering the door of the outbuilding, we heard streams of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas playing from a period radio.
As we entered the room, we saw a Christmas tree with colorful bubble lights! (Too cool!)
In the context of a family who missed their dear father, away at war in World War II, we learned about the restoration of the historic area and the goal of Dr. Goodwin to allow the fun of Christmas decorating within some venue of historical context. (Again, the 1940s costuming was spot on!)
Surveying with Colonel George Washington 1774
The next day while we walked down to the Capitol and Duke of Gloucester Street we found George Washington and his assistant surveying the area!
He remembered us and shook my son’s hand. They put my son to work with the equipment.
Although we learned about the mechanics behind surveying at Prelude to Victory, now we saw it in action.
Colonel Washington (it was 1774) told us that this city surveying goals differed from the field surveys he typically did.
While city surveys must be precise, since private property required an accounting for property lines, field surveys required more general measurements.
Christmas Music Program
Then we warmed up inside the museum for another music program, with music ranging from ancient to modern times.
My favorite tune was an Indian Christmas Carol that the kids and I sang for a Becoming History presentation.
Visiting Townspeople before Grand Illumination
After the program and lunch, we returned to the historic area where we visited Miss Penny who helped my son with his Lafayette hat.
After a nice visit we walked out to the street where my son exclaimed, “There’s Mr. Murdock!”
He spoke loudly in an extremely bored tone, “Come and see the dancing Quaker. You’ll regret it if you don’t. You’ll always wonder what you missed if you don’t come look.”
Grand Illumination
Finally, the Grand Illumination started.
Standing near a toasty warm cresset in Market Square, the mass of people who arrived for the 18th century fireworks surprised me.
There are three stages of entertainment before and after the fireworks, near the location of the firing of the fireworks.
These locations are near the Capitol, Courthouse, and Palace.
From our vantage point we could clearly see the fireworks shot from behind the Magazine and Palace and could almost see the ones from the Capitol.
Programmed to fire simultaneously, all the guests see exactly the same fireworks (same style, color, timing, etc).
The 18th century fireworks seemed like sparklers revolving in the sky and others exploded into millions of flashy stars. As cold as I was, I must admit it was a terrific show!
Colonial Revival Wreaths on the Historic Buildings
Monday morning, we took pictures of all the great wreaths on the doors.
The day I took these pictures, the judges were going from door to door with their clipboards.
From all the imagination entries, our favorite used coffee beans that looked like they were being poured into a mug.
For more photos check my Flickr set.
Comments from my old blog
Jennifer December 19, 2009 at 6:08 PM – Laurie-You have the most incredible experiences in Williamsburg. I lived there for four years and never had any discussions like this! I want to tag along with you when I go to the Burg next
