Christmas at Surratt House

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Laurie for sending these photos and information!

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"Surratt House always tries to add unusual Victorian touches at Christmas time. This year, staff recreated a mid- to late-19th century spiderweb room decoration based on the The Legend of the Christmas Spider. This legend has its origin in either the Ukraine or Germany (google it). Each ribbon represents a part of the spiderweb and runs from the top of the tree to a hidden package in other parts of the room. Larger homes with a central chandelier used it as the starting point if they preferred to have their larger tree elsewhere in the room.

Our hall table features an oyster shell tree - very appropriate for the deep, economic history of the oyster trade in Maryland. And the last slide shows a small part of an antique Christmas card collection that I have amassed from searching through the Huntt family home over the years. Never had to buy one.

Of course, there are eight rooms in the museum also decorated with displays and antique toys. Our holiday open house with Apple Cider Punch and cookies is this coming weekend, Dec. 10-11 from noon to 4 pm. We also have other events going on for entertainment in our meeting room section of the James O. Hall Research Center - everything from magicians to musicians and children's activities."

[Gene C]

http://www.kraftmstr.com/christmas/books/spider.html

I guess I now know the real reason my mom was never to excited about putting tinsel on the tree

[Eva Elisabeth]

Nice. I've never heard of the ribbon spider web, I cannot imagine it's of German origin (I think Germans are too traditional to let a tradition ceased, especially regarding Xmas. This said a real Xmas tree has real candles, not electric ones!!! And it's not to be decorated before Xmas Eve morning.)

[L Verge]

(12-07-2016 10:07 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Nice. I've never heard of the ribbon spider web, I cannot imagine it's of German origin (I think Germans are too traditional to let a tradition ceased, especially regarding Xmas. This said a real Xmas tree has real candles, not electric ones!!! And it's not to be decorated before Xmas Eve morning.)

You cannot see them in this photo, but the Surratt tree has about 8 original candles on the tree with clip-on holders and tiny candles -- and a wooden bucket (for water) with a sponge on a long stick in case of fire.

The standard Christmas tree in Southern Maryland was a cedar tree (they grow anywhere and everywhere) up until trains could bring the prettier firs and spruces of the north into Baltimore and D.C. markets.

When we first began decorating the museum for the holidays in 1976, we used cedar trees for the parlor table; but they are very difficult to decorate - and then, the fire marshal protested live trees where large crowds (and a wooden, historic house) were involved. It wasn't fun having to spray all the greenery before decorating either (to remove "Christmas spiders" and other varmints).

When I was a child, we actually had an advent wreath in our front hall until Christmas Eve. We did not decorate the tree until that day either, Eva.

[Gene C]

Laurie, on the photo of the room with the tree, who's picture is that on the wall on the left side?

[L Verge]

(12-07-2016 02:30 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Laurie, on the photo of the room with the tree, who's picture is that on the wall on the left side?

That is actually a popular Currier & Ives lithograph of the period - a praying child

[L Verge]

Expanding on the spiderweb history: Each year, my staff and I produce a souvenir booklet for visitors to take with them after enjoying our holiday tours. This is the first year that we have used the spiderweb theme, so its Victorian history is related in the booklet.

Expanding on the Christmas spider theme, the Victorians used it to create a game out of finding one's presents. It was often used in the dining room, if it had a central chandelier. The ribbons (or string) in varying colors extended around the room, hiding presents along or at the end of each strand. When family and friends arrived, each took up an assigned ribbon and followed it all the way to the end, collecting the gifts found along the way. So far as we could find, the St. Nicholas Magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873, was the first to tell its readers about this novel method. The December 1876 issue of this popular American children's magazine carried a letter to the editor describing how one might fashion a "spider web" of string or ribbon. The writer offered it as an alternative to Christmas stockings and presents piled under the tree.

The presents were small and valuable things such as rings, pins, and other pieces of jewelry; thimbles, money, small toys, pocket knives, etc. If there was a couch in the room, the ribbons would slide under the cushions; or they might find them behind books. Some were short ribbons with the gift dangling within easier reach.

When all was ready, the mistress of the house would precede her guests into the room - opening the door that had been closed while they arrived. She would also say or sing the old rhyme of "Will you come into my parlor? Said the spider to the fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And I have many pretty things to show you when you're there. Will you, will you, walk in, Mister Fly?"

Our Christmas booklet includes the history of Christmas and the season with examples of gifts, cards, the story of mistletoe, Christmas at the Big House in the South as well as Christmas in the quarters, the Thomas Nast influence on Santa, and other themes. Some delicious recipes specifically for the season as used in the 1800s are offered also. Want to tackle stuffing a Maryland ham or baking and icing a snowball cake?

We usually have some booklets left over, and this year, my staff produced a second booklet of Christmas activities for smaller children - pages to color, word games, puzzles, etc. If interested in either, send $2 for each to cover postage: Checks payable to Surratt House Museum and mailed to the museum at 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

[L Verge]

(12-07-2016 08:24 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Expanding on the spiderweb history: Each year, my staff and I produce a souvenir booklet for visitors to take with them after enjoying our holiday tours. This is the first year that we have used the spiderweb theme, so its Victorian history is related in the booklet.

Expanding on the Christmas spider theme, the Victorians used it to create a game out of finding one's presents. It was often used in the dining room, if it had a central chandelier. The ribbons (or string) in varying colors extended around the room, hiding presents along or at the end of each strand. When family and friends arrived, each took up an assigned ribbon and followed it all the way to the end, collecting the gifts found along the way. So far as we could find, the St. Nicholas Magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873, was the first to tell its readers about this novel method. The December 1876 issue of this popular American children's magazine carried a letter to the editor describing how one might fashion a "spider web" of string or ribbon. The writer offered it as an alternative to Christmas stockings and presents piled under the tree.

The presents were small and valuable things such as rings, pins, and other pieces of jewelry; thimbles, money, small toys, pocket knives, etc. If there was a couch in the room, the ribbons would slide under the cushions; or they might find them behind books. Some were short ribbons with the gift dangling within easier reach.

When all was ready, the mistress of the house would precede her guests into the room - opening the door that had been closed while they arrived. She would also say or sing the old rhyme of "Will you come into my parlor? Said the spider to the fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And I have many pretty things to show you when you're there. Will you, will you, walk in, Mister Fly?"

Our Christmas booklet includes the history of Christmas and the season with examples of gifts, cards, the story of mistletoe, Christmas at the Big House in the South as well as Christmas in the quarters, the Thomas Nast influence on Santa, and other themes. Some delicious recipes specifically for the season as used in the 1800s are offered also. Want to tackle stuffing a Maryland ham or baking and icing a snowball cake?

We usually have some booklets left over, and this year, my staff produced a second booklet of Christmas activities for smaller children - pages to color, word games, puzzles, etc. If interested in either, send $2 for each to cover postage: Checks payable to Surratt House Museum and mailed to the museum at 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

Forgot to add that you can phone in any order for the booklet(s) or other items - such as the White House ornament - using a Visa or MasterCard. 301-868-1121.

[Thomas Kearney]

(12-08-2016 01:12 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(12-07-2016 08:24 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Expanding on the spiderweb history: Each year, my staff and I produce a souvenir booklet for visitors to take with them after enjoying our holiday tours. This is the first year that we have used the spiderweb theme, so its Victorian history is related in the booklet.

Expanding on the Christmas spider theme, the Victorians used it to create a game out of finding one's presents. It was often used in the dining room, if it had a central chandelier. The ribbons (or string) in varying colors extended around the room, hiding presents along or at the end of each strand. When family and friends arrived, each took up an assigned ribbon and followed it all the way to the end, collecting the gifts found along the way. So far as we could find, the St. Nicholas Magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873, was the first to tell its readers about this novel method. The December 1876 issue of this popular American children's magazine carried a letter to the editor describing how one might fashion a "spider web" of string or ribbon. The writer offered it as an alternative to Christmas stockings and presents piled under the tree.

The presents were small and valuable things such as rings, pins, and other pieces of jewelry; thimbles, money, small toys, pocket knives, etc. If there was a couch in the room, the ribbons would slide under the cushions; or they might find them behind books. Some were short ribbons with the gift dangling within easier reach.

When all was ready, the mistress of the house would precede her guests into the room - opening the door that had been closed while they arrived. She would also say or sing the old rhyme of "Will you come into my parlor? Said the spider to the fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And I have many pretty things to show you when you're there. Will you, will you, walk in, Mister Fly?"

Our Christmas booklet includes the history of Christmas and the season with examples of gifts, cards, the story of mistletoe, Christmas at the Big House in the South as well as Christmas in the quarters, the Thomas Nast influence on Santa, and other themes. Some delicious recipes specifically for the season as used in the 1800s are offered also. Want to tackle stuffing a Maryland ham or baking and icing a snowball cake?

We usually have some booklets left over, and this year, my staff produced a second booklet of Christmas activities for smaller children - pages to color, word games, puzzles, etc. If interested in either, send $2 for each to cover postage: Checks payable to Surratt House Museum and mailed to the museum at 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

Forgot to add that you can phone in any order for the booklet(s) or other items - such as the White House ornament - using a Visa or MasterCard. 301-868-1121.

is that the Hoover ornament? I already purchased mine through the discount code on the Nationals Bobble Head box.

[Thomas Kearney]

I visited the House today and signed up for volunteer training. Check out the pictures I took on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Tek2012Tek/with_replies

[L Verge]

(12-11-2016 06:51 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:  I visited the House today and signed up for volunteer training. Check out the pictures I took on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Tek2012Tek/with_replies

Thanks for capturing some really good pictures of our decorations. The bed showing the little girl's dress is actually in the master bedroom, which had decorations on the mantle, I believe.

I understand from my staff that there was very low attendance this year, which is a shame because they worked so hard planning and decorating. We are always in competition with other historic sites within a twenty mile range of us - and trust me, there are many! This year, we also had to contend with the opening of the MGM casino at National Harbor, which is less than ten miles from us. It has reached capacity every night (30,000) since opening on the night of December 8.

Not only is there gambling, but well-known entertainers and boutique shops. Sarah Jessica Parker has opened one there and attended the grand opening. Who can compete with that - and the thousands of cars that are deadlocked on the Capital Beltway and surrounding roads?

There's always next year...

[RJNorton]

I second Laurie - good job, Thomas! Thanks for sharing.

[Gene C]

Yes, the photo of the small tree made of oyster shells, I was wondering what it was made from.