Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia, North Carolina
Follow this link for the Schiele Museum of Natural History web site.
The Schiele Backcountry Folk are looking forward to our Friends of NCHRS joining us to celebrate Christmas. The scene will be of friends and neighbors gathering to celebrate their midwinter leisure and for Christmas worship (ca. 1780). Appropriate dress for this occasion is simple or fancy, rugged or refined, civilian or military. In fact, a variety of 18th century characters will add interest to the event. We especially need several NCHRS folks to bring muskets and rifles for shooting through the branches of our fruit trees!
From Charlotte, take I-85 S to New Hope Blvd – Exit 20. Turn left onto New Hope Rd. Go through 5 lights. At the 6th light, turn right onto Garrison Blvd. Go through one traffic light at Burtonwood, then look for the Schiele Museum main entrance on the right, just past a school athletic field.
Approaching from the south on I-85, follow the same directions, except turn right onto New Hope Road and go through 4 lights.
Our piedmont Christmas of the late 18th century centers around the German settlers who celebrated the season with religious observances and social gatherings. The approach of winter brought a slower pace to backcountry farm life with leisure time for enjoying the company of friends and relatives in worship and in play. Other local settlers added the customs of their homelands to Christmas here on the frontier, including the English, Welsh, and French.
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians were, however, slow to abandon their Puritanism. This group of settlers believed Christmas should be no different than any other day, condemning both religious and social festivities. Many years passed before the Scotch-Irish settlers began joining their neighbors in celebrating Christmas.
Holly: Whoever (husband or wife) first brings holly into the house at Christmas rules for the year! Tossing a sprig of holly into the fire rid oneself of the past years' troubles and gained good luck for the year to come.
Ivy: Wearing an ivy leaf in the hair or hat prevented intoxication. An ivy leaf under the pillow may make one dream of true love.
Cedar, Pine, Boxwood: Small leafed evergreens at doorways and windows discourage witches, who must stop and count each leaf before entering.
Rosemary: A prominent, fragrant Christmas herb, it symbolizes remembrance, love, and loyalty.
Mistletoe: Each berry of the mistletoe holds luck for one kiss. Mistletoe above the stable door brings luck and fertility to the animals.
Yule Log: Often the Yule log is a stump rather than a log. Wishes should be made on the Yule log.
Noisemaking: Bells, noisemakers, and firearms frighten away evil spirits from homes, animals, and orchards. The custom of "Shooting in the New Year" has continued unbroken to the present day with the Cherryville, North Carolina shooters. Toasting fruit trees and livestock in midwinter increases fertility and yields.
Here's to thee old apple tree,
Hats full, sacks full,
Great bushel bags full, Huzzah!
Christmas Carols: Some of our favorite carols originated as dances for celebrating seasonal holidays. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly and God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen are two fine dance tunes. The word carol originally meant round dance. Christmas hymns, such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The First Noel, and O Come All Ye Faithful, were popular then as now.
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Last updated 03/03/02 .