“Christmas in 17th-century England and Virginia”

Guest Author:  Nancy Egloff, Jamestown Settlement Historian Christmas in 17th-Century England and Virginia Exploring English customs and the Lord of Misrule Along with their friends and relatives in England, the Englishmen who came to Jamestown in 1607 considered Christmas to be one of the most special times of the year. In England, the season lasted …

A Christmas Pause During “The Great War” (1914 – 1919)

"No Man's Land" is the term used by soldiers to describe the ground between the two opposing trenches. Its width along the Western Front could vary a great deal. The average distance in most sectors was about 250 yards (230 meters). However, at Guillemont it was only 50 yards (46 meters) whereas at Cambrai it …

Christmas Traditions in Our Nation’s Capital

One of my former colleagues posted this article from a pamphlet he picked up at the Mary Surratt House Museum titled, “Christmas of Yesterday: A History of Our Treasured Traditions and Holiday Customs.” (If you recall, Mary Surratt was an alleged member of the Abraham Lincoln assassination conspiracy and holds the dubious distinction of being the first …

Ford and Lo-Lathrop Families Among Puritans Who Ban Christmas in MA

December 25, 1659: Christmas Celebration Outlawed To put this story in context, Massachusetts was home to many of the Lo-Lathrop family, my maternal grandmother's ancestors and significant leaders in the making of the "New England" in America.  My 9th great grandfather, Rev. John Lathrop, was one of the first and was the founder of Barnstable, …

How’s Your Pre-Christmas Spirit?

Have You Been Scrooged or Is Family Your Focus? How's your pre-Christmas spirit going this year?  Have you just about had it with all the hustle and bustle that leads up to the big day?  Has your focus been on the reason for the season or has societal pressure and extreme commercialism pulled you in? …

Odd Christmas Customs From Newspaper Archives!

 "Old Christmas fare did not include the turkey, now the modern Christmas bird.  In olden days, a roasted peacock took its place on the festive board." Last week I wrote about the great newspaper archives at fultonhistory.com.  I promised I would go back and take a closer look.  So I searched for the word Christmas …

A Renaissance Christmas Dinner – Published 1660

It has become a tradition in our family for the past 10 years or so (passed down from my maternal grandmother, Loretta, my mom, Norma, as they got older) that my daughter-in-law and I shop and prepare food for about 30 loved ones on our special holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Despite her full-time career, …

When’s the Last Time You Expressed Your Feelings Through a Greeting Card?

When cleaning my desk in my home office I came upon a birthday card from my second born son and his wife.  I had set this card aside after initially receiving it in January 2013. When I received it, I couldn't fully focus on it with others around.  I knew though that I wanted to …