Mudd House Victorian Christmas

[Thomas Kearney]

That is the song that reminds me of this!

[L Verge]

I think it's sad now that, when we think of "candy," we instinctively think of chocolate -- not sugar plums. I also forgot to mention one of the dishes of candy on our Surratt table is that wonderful marzipan. Lower left corner as viewing the photo. Most commercial marzipan today is fashioned and painted in the shape of oranges, strawberries, limes, lemons, and pears. I am addicted to marzipan and could eat gobs of it without the "make-up!." That, to me, is a sugar plum.

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Forgot to ask about your posting of the connection with the Nutcracker Suite, Eva. I know you have studies ballet for years; have you danced in these productions? The works are definitely another symbol of Christmas here in America.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I've never danced in the Nutcacker. Yes, it's a "must" in Xmas time. Did you know the choreography existed before the music, and the music had to fit the choreographer's ideas? Marius Petipa was one of the most famous choreographers, and many of Tchaikovsky's works were ordered by Petipa - he would exactly tell Tchaikovsky what he wanted, e.g. a walz/ czardas/pas des deux, etc...consisting of so-and-so-many beats, and precisely describe the style, mood, plot to fit to etc., even of some single beats within one piece, and Tchaikovsky would compose and deliver. Fascinating.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I have another question - were Nativity scenes popular in that era? Sorry if I missed but I cannot spot any. (I think here they entered private homes in the 17th century.)

[L Verge]

Someone is going to have to help me with this one because I have not run across many references to early Nativity scenes in homes. My family's attic had none that survived, if they had them. The only old one that I have seen was a ca. 1890 paper "pop-up" owned by our volunteer who has original Bavarian ornaments from her family.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks, Laurie. So it has never been popular and wouldn't be put up now either?

[L Verge]

Many homes and churches had /have advent wreaths where a candle was lit each of the four Sundays before Christmas, followed (in the church) by the large Christmas candle (and I mean, LARGE). On Christmas Eve, the manager scene/creche would then replace the wreath. I am basing this strictly on my upbringing and faith. Others may have different thoughts.

We didn't always do the advent wreath at our home, but the creche was placed under the tree or on a table on Christmas Eve. And, oh yes, it has been popular throughout the 20th and 21st centuries -- I just don't know about the custom during the 1800s.

Over the years, I have collected several beautiful creches -- which my daughter has stolen for her own house displays.

I failed to mention that Americans often decorate their front lawns and public squares with Nativity scenes - some even perform the story of Christmas with live actors and animals throughout the weeks. Unfortunately, there are also other Americans who now prefer to deface or vandalize these Christian symbols on which our country was originally based -- and the majority and the courts let these minorities do it. Sorry for my religious and political commentary.

Here's a good link to the stories of Nativity scenes: http://site.outdora.com/blog/history-nat...-1909.html

[Gene C]

Unfortunately, there are also other Americans who now prefer to deface or vandalize these Christian symbols on which our country was originally based -- and the majority and the courts let these minorities do it. Sorry for my religious and political commentary.

No apology necessary.
They do it for the same reasons King Herod tried to have him killed. They feel threatened.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks, Laurie - this is very interesting to me. While we have Nativity scenes in churches and homes (and Advent wreaths, too) I've never seen any in gardens - would love to experience Xmas in the US!

[L Verge]

Thanks, Laurie - this is very interesting to me. While we have Nativity scenes in churches and homes (and Advent wreaths, too) I've never seen any in gardens - would love to experience Xmas in the US!

I would love to experience Christmas as it was in my earlier days. For some reason, I feel that the charm and meaning of Christmas got stolen somewhere about thirty years ago.

[Thomas Kearney]

Victorian Christmas set for 12/3-4 with hours of 11-8. The price of admission will be $8.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. Reservations are not required. This year the museum will have music, refreshments, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, Civil War Soldiers, a special appearance by Thomas Kearney on December 3, and a walking tour of the house. The house will be decorated as it would have been in the Victorian Period. I apologize for any errors.

[Thomas Kearney]

https://twitter.com/Tek2012Tek/with_replies
Visited the Mudd house tonight for their Victorian Christmas. Click the link to see photos of the house decked out for the holidays (even my Twitter page is decked out for the holidays). I thought I'd have trouble finding the museum in the dark (I drove so I couldn't use my phone to get directions. I have to drive 10 of the state required 60 hours during dark when I have my permit.) but there was a medical emergency on one of the earlier tours and an ambulance was there.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Nice photos, Thomas. Amazing to see the Nativity scene Mudd carved. The stockings look like mittens to me.

[RJNorton]

Good job, Thomas. Thanks for sharing.

Here is an old photo of Richard Mudd with the couch. Richard Mudd had the couch renovated in a Saginaw, Michigan, upholstery shop in 1953, and the picture is from the May 10, 1953, edition of the Saginaw News.

[Thomas Kearney]

Nice photos, Thomas. Amazing to see the Nativity scene Mudd carved. The stockings look like mittens to me.

Eva, Mudd House Docent Kate Ramirez tweeted me saying Mudd did not carve it. It was found in the attic. I made a lot of errors in my tweets.