Pickering, ON, November 28, 2011 - Like today, not everyone celebrated Christmas in the 1800s.  Even amongst those who did, there were widely differing customs.  Discover the customs of English, Welsh and Scottish settlers at Pickering Museum Village this holiday season.  As you enter the village, feel as though you have stepped into a scenic postcard, and meet the historic characters of Pickering Museum Village who are getting ready for their holiday celebrations.
 
Meet Mrs. Maxwell, a harried Scottish woman rushing to prepare for Hogmanay, the celebration of the New Year.  She’ll complain about the lengthy list of chores threatening to bring her bad luck should she not complete them before the stroke of midnight on December 31st.  The Welsh residents celebrate the New Year and Christmas with song, good luck charms, food and wassail punch.  If you see the Mari Llywd, or Grey Horse, it means good luck, and be sure to watch as the Welshmen accompanying the horse challenge the homeowners to a caroling contest!  And the Miller Family is together again to celebrate Christmas in the traditional way of the English, including parlour games and plum pudding.  Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff welcome guests to the Brougham Temperance House.  You will be encouraged to sign the pledge therefore do not expect ale to be on the menu!  Mr. Clarke is ready and willing to accept last minute orders to the Timothy Eaton Co., though he may not be able to guarantee they will arrive from Toronto in time for Christmas.  Mr. Clarke has arranged for Father Christmas to make a special appearance at the Duffin’s Creek General Store.
 
Winter was the time of year for social fun.  Parties, dances and weddings were held when there was less work on the farm, and travel over the frozen ground was easier than any other time of the year.  Join Pickering Museum Village’s Stepping in Tyme dance society, as it brings to life a rural dance c. 1870 at the 7th annual Squire Jonathan’s Christmas Ball.  The society will be demonstrating dances typical of a rural Ontario community, including favourites from the early 1800s through to the more trendy dances popular by 1875.  You may find your name on someone’s dance card.
 
Sample a variety of traditional holiday treats on your journey through the museum village.  Warm up with some soup or a warm drink for sale at the Snack Bar and then enjoy a wagon ride through the museum village. Don’t forget to stop in the chapel to listen to The Village Singers singing traditional Christmas carols.  
 
Our halls are decked, Stir-up Sunday has seen the start of our Christmas puddings, and the shelves of our General Store are stocked with the wonderful little somethings to add to stockings.  Each year, a team of volunteers works to decorate the buildings of Pickering Museum Village with boughs of pine and cedar, pinecones and candles, and yards of red satin ribbon.  Decorations one hundred years ago were very simple yet fragrant.  When the team is finished, the village has been transformed into a festive pioneer Christmas scene, and the stage is set for costumed volunteers to portray the settlers who live in the houses.
 
Christmas can still be filled with the games, dances, food and song we all long for.  Come back in time and see for yourself.  You may return to the present with a few traditions you’d like to add to your family’s holidays this year and for many years to come.  Join us December 11 from noon to 3:30 pm.  Admission to Christmas in the Village is $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors and students, $4.50 for children, $20 for a family, preschoolers and parking are free.  PMV Season’s Pass holders receive free admission to the event.
 
Pickering Museum Village is located just off of Highway #7 between Brock Road and Westney Road.  For more information, please contact the museum village at 905.683.8401 or go to cityofpickering.com/museum.  Pickering’s Bicentennial Celebrations are sponsored by Enbridge, Signage Source and many other strong community partners.  To view the complete list of sponsors visitcityofpickering.com/bicentennial.