As most Virginians in pre-revolutionary America were members of the Anglican Church, the arrival of Christmas meant the observation of Advent, of fasting and repentance, followed by a meal of celebration on Christmas Day. Certainly not the Christmas of today.
But those that could afford it followed the British aristocratic custom they brought with them from England. The landed gentry created lavish table decorations and presented multi-course feasts, with hostesses seeking to outdo each other with their culinary and decorating talents as well as to display their social status. A fancy decorated table and twenty or thirty dishes served around an elaborate centerpiece of desserts would not be considered too lavish.
Today, Christmas in Virginia’s pre-revolutionary village of Colonial Williamsburg—America’s oldest and largest Living History Museum—melds the historical with the modern for a unique celebration of the holiday season.
Deck The Halls . . .
The concept of decorating Colonial Williamsburg for Christmas actually began with an offhand suggestion, soon after the restoration began in 1934, to place a single candle in the windows of the restored buildings–there were only four at the time–to help brighten the winter darkness, and maybe even draw a few visitors.
The custom rapidly gained popularity, and soon wreath artists began adding berries, pine cones, nuts, holly, and other natural materials and by 1939 the “Williamsburg Christmas Look” was attracting hundreds of visitors, launching a contest for the best door decorations. Blue ribbons were hung b y the winning entries, and in 1969 the “Christmas Decorations Tour” was inaugurated.
Williamsburg continued to grow into its present 173 acres, including 88 original 18th-century buildings and hundreds of structures that have been faithfully reconstructed on their original foundations. A sizable staff of carpenters, florists, historians, masons, culinary workers, and actors recreate everyday events that echo the feelings, culture, family, and workday activities of the lives of average villagers of Williamsburg in pre-revolutionary America.
Settled in 1633 Williamsburg became the capital of Virginia in 1699, as well as the social and cultural center. Though the seat of government was transferred to Richmond in 1780, Williamsburg lives on today as robustly as it did in its prime years.
And as Colonial Williamsburg grew, so did the giddy celebration of new and old Christmas traditions. The lighting of a single candle in the windows of the four restored buildings has grown to more than 1,200 candles (electric for safety) flickering in the windows of over 100 buildings from Thanksgiving weekend through January 1st. More than five miles of white pine bough ropes encircle doorways and windows, spiral around columns and railings, and Christmas carols echo from the streets and doorsteps throughout the restored area.
Today Williamsburg’s outdoor Christmas decorations are known and admired around the world. The floral staff produces several dozen elaborate door wreaths and elegant interior table and mantel decorations, and behind the scenes tours show the creative process of making the wreaths and other decorations that will adorn the buildings.
The thousands of visitors that stroll the streets of Colonial Williamsburg snapping pictures hoping to copy the best designs have sparked a mini-industry of how-to books, demonstration videos, and workshops for the creation of wreaths. (Go to the Christmas in Williamsburg page on Colonial Williamsburg’s Web site for instruction on how you can make a wreath for your home, motorhome, trailer, 5th wheel, or tent.)
This year visit a Living History Museum near your campground or home base to see how our ancestors celebrated America’s most popular holiday.