would never win because they would not get together,” she said.
ther Christmas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle or Saint Nicholas. This was not the holiday experience for most of the citizens City lights of Fall River. The families who worked Even for holidays the various ethnic in the mills could not afford Christmas groups did not celebrate together, “unless vacations and long gift lists. it was a factory where many ethnic groups However, if we move our exploration of were employed,” said Dennis Binette. He Christmas memories uphill a bit to the is the assistant curator of the FRHS, and Highlands area of Fall River, for example, he addressed the subject of holidays. then the images of a Victorian Christmas Factory Christmas parties are a very might have been more evident. recent phenomenon and did not come on Fortunately, the Fall River Historical to the scene until the mid-twentieth cenSociety is here to facilitate and make tury. Church parishes “were very separate available one of the finest recreations ethnically,” said of a Victorian Dennis, so even Christmas available Christmas celanywhere. ebrations were he celebration of “The most popular not an occasion celebration at the hristmas as we for mingling Historical Society outside of one’s know it had many is the holiday Open ethnic group. House, running Christmas celof its origins in daily from the ebrations were Saturday before ictorian ngland not the fiscal Thanksgiving bacchanal they with decorated through Decemhave become ber 30, excluding trees piles of in recent years. holidays. “Perhaps it is a The FRHS buildgifts under a tree matter of scale,” ing, located at 451 suggested and a jolly old elf Rock Street in Fall Dennis, “they River, is the only dressed in red had less money example of the sort so the relative of mansion built amount was by the very wealthy smaller.” mill owners during Actual, tanthe period of Fall gible money River’s greatest affluence. It is built of Fall was even more scarce. “Employees lived River granite, more often seen in mills in housing owned by the mills, they and commercial buildings than private bought their supplies from the company homes. store. There wasn’t money to send,” said The building was once located on Dennis. Columbia Street, but in 1870 the owner Christmas, for the average textile worker decided to move it to The Highlands in the nineteenth and early twentieth (“That’s where the rich people lived,” said century, was not a paid holiday, so perConnie.). The building was disassembled, haps it was just as well that it was often stone by stone, hauled up the hill, and only a single day. reassembled. “You didn’t start to see many street It would be a worthy use of a day to visit decorations until the garlands on Main this magnificent building and just marvel Street, the double bells suspended over at it, but there are far more entertaining the street, until the late 1940’s and early activities and events to partake of at the 1950’s,” said Dennis. “The Fifties was also Fall River Historical Society. It’s a long list when there was a larger-than-life manger – to plan a visit you would be best served exhibit with live animals at South (now by starting with a visit to the website, Kennedy) Park.” lizzieborden.org or give them a call at The celebration of Christmas as we 508-679-1071. know it had many of its origins in Victorian England, with decorated trees, piles G reg J ones is a local writer and lives in of gifts under a tree and a jolly old elf Dartmouth. dressed in red and known variously as Fa-
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S ou th C oast P r ime T imes
2017
December Events Victorian High Tea in Easton Tea Room Through December 23, 2017 Fine English teas, our famous scones, tea sandwiches, savories, and dainty pastries served in Easton Tea Room’s three elegant and intimate parlors with original period details. Located in the historic 1870 Alexander Dorrance Easton house adjacent to the FRHS at 458 High Street. Open for the holiday season on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations recommended.
Tea with Mrs. Claus December 2, 2017 Easton Tea Room in the historic 1870 Alexander Dorrance Easton house at 458 High St. provides a charming setting for young ladies and gentlemen to enjoy our annual High Tea and fun with Mrs. Claus. For children ages 3 to 8. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Seatings at 11:30, and 1:30. Reservations required. Please call early as this event always sells out quickly.
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus December 17, 2017, 1 to 4 p.m. Young and old alike are cordially invited to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visits take place in the lavishly decorated Music Room, where the jolly duo will greet guests in front of one of our dazzling Christmas trees. Please bring your own camera. A volunteer will be on hand to take photos at your request. Admission is free.
Call 508-679-1071 ext. 5
N ov ember /D ecember 2017
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