The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
COBB: Where to find Christmas traditions from 19th century,
Exhibit at Root House re-creates 1850s family holiday celebration.
The William Root House Museum in Marietta will host an event designed to enlighten its guests on the Christmas traditions a family would enjoy in the 1850s.
The museum’s fifth annual Candlelight Night will be 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the museum at 80 North Marietta Parkway. The Root House will be adorned in traditional 1850s Christmas decorations. Visitors will enjoy candlelit rooms, cooking demonstrations, live music, hot cider and cookies and a visit from Santa Claus from 6-8 p.m.
According to Cobb Landmarks, the nonprofit organization that operates the museum, Christmas became a legal holiday in Georgia in the 1850s. Residents would have used evergreen branches to decorate mirrors, mantles, doorways and tables. Evergreens, the nonprofit added, were thought to represent “everlasting life.”
“Many believe the tradition of displaying a Christmas tree was brought to America from England via Prince Albert,” Cobb Landmarks said. “While Prince
Albert and Queen Victoria made the Christmas tree more popular, references to Christmas trees (and New Year’s trees) could be found in American literature well before Prince Albert’s arrival in England.”
Christmas trees, which were decorated behind closed doors, were decked out with fruit, candles and unwrapped toys. The trees were revealed as a surprise to children since the gifts were placed on the tree.
The cost to attend the Dec. 14 event is included with the cost of admission. For more information, visit the museum’s website at roothousemuseum.com or call 770-426-4982.