A look back at Christmas past
As far back as the 1880s, artificial Christmas trees came into use an exhibit called Under the Tree: Christmas Through the Years at Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum will tell visitors from now until December 20.
“It’s a representation of Christmas from the 1920s through
1960s. We have examples of trees used in those eras,” said Michelle Mason, the museum’s assistant curator.
One is a feather tree, the first type of artificial tree that came about in Germany in response to growing environmental concerns around deforestation. Goose feathers were used to create the tree and they were dyed green.
Mason said another of the other trees on display is a bottle brush tree, made in the 1930s. The artificial tree was made by Addis Brush Company that reportedly used the same machinery for making its toilet cleaning brushes. These trees were sturdier than the feather trees and could hold ornaments better.
Mason said it was also in the 1930s when lights started to appear on trees in place of lighted candles, which carried the danger of starting a fire.
It was the late 1930s when glass ornaments imported from Germany — which was preparing for war — were replaced by ones made from by the Corning Glass Company.
“We have a lot of ornaments from Dennis Everleigh who offered to loan us his collection this year. It added a lot to the exhibit,” said Mason.
She said in addition to the trees and ornaments, there are gifts on display that children would have found under the tree on Christmas Day throughout the various decades.
While people can take in the exhibit at any time, Mason said they could wait until the 42nd annual Grand Old Christmas Festival to visit the museum and make a day of it.
The festival takes place Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. and will see Santa Claus visit with children inside the schoolhouse on the museum grounds.
“This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the year,” said Mason, adding visitors can make a donation at any of the entrances. That donation entitles them to a free hot apple cider
In addition to the apple cider, there will be roasted chestnuts, bags of popcorn for a dollar, carriage rides, and Arabella’s Tea Room Christmas pudding for sale. A craft show will be held in L.R. Wilson Heritage Archives.
“The blacksmith shop will be open and people can use a crosscut saw to cut a piece of log, then have it branded with this year’s stamp.”
People can also print off their own Christmas cards, dip candles for $2, and make wreaths, as well.
“I’ve been out collecting vines and greenery for the wreaths,” said Mason, adding it’s a very popular activity for families. “We have something for everyone.”
Mason said McKay School will bring its choir, with nearly 100 students, to sing Christmas carols throughout the day and said its always a good draw. She added a lot of community partners stepped up to sponsor the various activities for the day.