“Farm Museum holiday decor focuses on 1865” |
| Farm Museum holiday decor focuses on 1865 Posted: 25 Nov 2010 09:10 PM PST As the country approaches the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War in 1861, the Carroll County Farm Museum will give visitors a new perspective on what the holidays were like for Civil War soldiers and their families with this year's tour theme, "Holiday Homecoming 1865." Sharon Martin, events coordinator for the Farm Museum, said she and many of the volunteers at the Farm Museum are history enthusiasts who are excited about this year's theme. They also decided to invite Civil War re-enactors to take part in the tour, with their tents set up on the museum grounds to contrast how the soldiers might have spent the holidays while the war continued, compared to what they remembered and what they returned home to. The Victorian-era farmhouse is often decorated lavishly for the Christmas open house, Martin said, but this year's theme led to more muted and natural decorations, reflecting the sober but celebratory tone of the Christmas season after the war had ended. The Civil War lasted from 1861 to mid-1865, but it may have taken soldiers some time to return home, especially those who were wounded. The Christmas tree in the parlor, for example, doesn't have any glass ornaments on it this year, because those wouldn't have been in American households in 1865, Martin said. Instead, the tree is decorated with paper and lace ornaments and amber-colored Christmas lights to represent the real candles that would have been used at that time. Each room is decorated with an abundance of garlands, each with different greens and berries, chosen to match the decorations in the rest of the room. Several rooms have their own Christmas tree as well. The study has the Toy Soldier Tree, Martin said, which was inspired by a story about how President Abraham Lincoln's son collected toy soldiers. Tad Lincoln also accompanied his father on hospital visits during the 1863 Christmas season, and was moved by the experience to ask his father if he could send books and clothing to the men in hospitals, which he did. The master bedroom is decorated as if the husband and wife of the household are preparing for a formal party, with a deep red dress and gentleman's suit laid out and ready to be worn. Families would have truly had a reason to celebrate during the Christmas of 1865, Martin said, with soldiers and loved ones finally returning home. The children's room features authentic paper toys from that era, Martin said, as well as needlework that was donated to the museum from the 1800s. "Children today get so much, and children back then might get one gift," Martin said. Because of the scarcity of gifts in the 19th century, children took better care of them, she said, and so there are examples that still exist today. Mary Lathroum, who has volunteered with decorating the farmhouse for 12 years, said she was looking forward to volunteering during the holiday tour once it opens. "I think it's interesting and I think it's topical, considering what's going on with our troops abroad," Lathroum said. Lathroum said that while children and their families may think they have been to the Farm Museum before and are familiar with its exhibits, seeing it in the context of the holiday tour can bring a whole new appreciation. Sherry Hartman, who decorated the kitchen, said this was her third year volunteering to decorate the farmhouse for the holiday tour. "They give us free reign," Hartman said. "If we have a vision for something, as long as it fits in the theme, we can run with it." Hartman said she considers herself a Civil War buff, and was excited by this year's theme. But even for people who aren't as interested in Civil War history, visiting the Farm Museum during the holidays is an opportunity to take a break and enjoy the beauty and quiet setting of the decorated Farm Museum grounds, she said. "Our lifestyles today don't let people slow down and enjoy the holidays," she said. Reach staff writer Carrie Ann Knauer at 410-857-7874 or e-mail carrie.knauer@carrollcountytimes.com. Posted in Local on Friday, November 26, 2010 12:00 am. | Location Tags: This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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