Victorian Home Scene
Mike and Bobby are off pheasant hunting with friends this weekend, so I planned something fun for Greg, the girls and I last night. We have a local museum that puts on a "vintage Christmas" every year. Museum volunteers dress up in Pioneer and Victorian style clothing and do traditional Christmas activities by lantern and candle light. The public can wander through the displays and buy hot apple cider and hot cocoa. Much of it is outside and unheated so the hot drinks are perfect. There were couples dancing to fiddle music, ladies knitting and singing Christmas carols, children helping "grandma" to bake cookies at the wood stove and even cowboys with their chuck wagon and campfire. Not a TV or computer in sight. Although it was sort of strange when we caught a glimpse of one of the "off duty" volunteers talking on her cell phone while dressed in a pioneer dress and apron. :)
Every year I want to turn around and leave when we pull up and the parking lot is full to overflowing, but I'm so glad we always stay. We have a good time and it puts us in the mood for some simple Christmas fun. Last night we had some nice talks about how hard it would have been to live back then without central heating and running water, but how families were so close and relied on one another. My girls have decided that we should make some pioneer style dresses, but I'm not sure my sewing skills are up to that. Are there such things as "super easy" patterns for those sorts of dresses?
What about you? Does your town have any special Christmas traditions?
There IS such a thing as super easy patterns for those sorts of dresses. Look no further than your Halloween costume patterns. I ended up buying one because it had the simple lines I wanted in a nightgown, but it was, in fact, a pilgrim dress pattern. I only buy easy patterns, because I'm not very good, yet! Thanks for sharing such an awesome experience. I love getting your blog.
ReplyDeleteA nearby town has a Dickens Christmas and I miss it EVERY year....I vow I WILL make it to it ONE year.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for pioneer, go to the thrift stores, that is where we get ours. Our state is famous for the Land Run....so, pioneer costumes are a must. Just go through looking at skirts and shirts.....I'm sure you can find something. Plus, I ALWAYS find the boots that have the eye hook thingy......so weird. I would like to know if your state is as easy to find the stuff at thrift stores.
Not so much in our town, but the 1890's house museum where I volunteer as a costumed docent will be doing something similar (yet not so ambitious) tomorrow :-)
ReplyDeleteWe used to volunteer at This is the Place here in Utah. It's a living pioneer village. My kids and I went once a week and acted as pioneers. I'm not the best sewer, but the patterns aren't too difficult. There are some that are really really simple, especially if you aren't trying to go totally authentic.
ReplyDeleteWe have a light parade and Santa goes around the neighborhoods on his fire truck while the firemen pass out candy canes. But we missed him in our neighborhood this year. :(
ReplyDeleteWow! that sounds amazing! There is nothing like that around here! We just have our Christmas parade, which is rather small. But where I grew up in CT( I live in SC now) there is a complete Santa village complete with reindeer! It was always the highlight of our Christmas when we were kids. You would tour through Santa's house, workshop, reindeer homes, and got to meet Mrs. Claus! I just love Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! That sounds fabulous!!! I WISH we had something like that around here because I would LOVE it!! Our city has a holiday parade and Santa is at the end of it passing out candy canes...that's about it unless we want to travel into Boston for the very expensive theatre shows ( like the Boston Ballet's Nutctacker).
ReplyDeleteI know we must have something, but I have not found anything like that here as of yet. It sounds like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteShellie
I'd love to be there :) Our city does have some stuff like that it isn't child friendly :( I have been told though the city's vision is not for the children :( :( Anyway that sounds wonderful. Our art museum has an open house and they have craft things to do and such with the children but with the Nutcracker rehearsals this year and last we haven't been able to go. I'd love to have some of the pioneer dresses for my girls and the skirts and shirtwaists for myself as well :) I'd also love a hoop skirt! I am trying out for the Nutcracker next year just so I have an excuse to make me a beautiful Victorian gown LOL
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