The other evening we went with some friends to Old Bedford Village, PA's Candlelit Christmas. Old Bedford Village is a living history village consisting of 40 log structures that, over the years, were salvaged and brought here. . . .
You can read more of the history of its making HERE.
The paths were lit only by candle lanterns as were the buildings. In each building was a re-enactor who told us a bit about that structure's function in the village. As we strolled through the darkened village we could imagine life in the 18th century. . . .
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P.S. I hope you will join me over at Take Joy Society's web journal for my daily postings for Sarah Ban Breathnach's Twelve Days of Christmas. HERE is the introduction. The First Day of Christmas began today (12/14) HERE. A new post will appear at 5:00 a.m. every day with your assignment.
I truly enjoyed your photo montage and music. I also thoroughly enjoy our virtual visits to all the places you share. Oh, I can think of many places in the UK you would love, Blists Hill Victorian town, Beamish, St Fagan's Welsh National History Museum. I wish I could take you to all of them, you would love so much. How magical all this must have seemed by candle light! Deb
Thank you, Deborah. Is that an invitation?! Who knows, you may one day find me at your doorstep begging for a personal tour of your corner of the world.
Cathy< did you make the slide show? Very nice! WE have the equivalent of the Bedford village here in East Tennessee, The Museum of Appalachia. I love the Christmas celebrations of old, and these wonderful historic places are the next best thing to going back in time, especially at Christmas.
Your tour of the Bedford Village must have been sublime. I can't think of a lovelier way to have Christmas than candlelit - and firelit. Christmases back in the day must have been quieter and more restful too, I would think. Reminds me of our first Christmas after my Mom died. My middle sister and her husband were hosting, because they have a great house for entertaining, and because my sister is a Christmas nut too. Patty was determined to make it a wonderful holiday for all, despite the fact that Mom had only been gone about 6 weeks at that point. My niece and nephew were 7 and 4 I think, and we didn't want our own adult sadness to mar Christmas for them either. Patty made the whole evening of Christmas Eve candlelit. No electricity allowed except for the tree lights. She had tapers, tealights, votives, hurricanes everywhere. Luckily she had a gas kitchen too - LOL. Patty goes decorating-nuts for every holiday and season - always has - and I have to say it all looked even better lit by candles. A lovely evening and a very quiet one, without TV or stereo. It must have been fairly similar to a Old Bedford Village Christmas. A step back in time... 🎄
I like that idea to have a non-electric Christmas. I pretty much have the affect of candlelight in my living and dining rooms because I have Christmas lights all year long on top of my bookcases and hutches and mantles that I turn on at night. My bookcases have task lighting on the display shelf I've created in each bookcase (there are 5 in my living room). Your sister made that first Christmas without your mother very special. I'd love to be a part of your family, Janet. ❤️
Such a wonderful peaceful village, Cathy. I can imagine it made for a lovely evening all lit with candlelight. ♥
ReplyDeleteThe cabins felt so homey.
DeleteI can just imagine how beautiful a walk through this candlelit village must have been. I wonder if there were carolers.
ReplyDeleteNo, there were not, now that you mention it. Perhaps caroling was not popular during this time period in region of PA.
DeleteSounds idyllic, what a beautiful visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. ❤️
DeleteI truly enjoyed your photo montage and music. I also thoroughly enjoy our virtual visits to all the places you share. Oh, I can think of many places in the UK you would love, Blists Hill Victorian town, Beamish, St Fagan's Welsh National History Museum. I wish I could take you to all of them, you would love so much.
ReplyDeleteHow magical all this must have seemed by candle light! Deb
Thank you, Deborah. Is that an invitation?! Who knows, you may one day find me at your doorstep begging for a personal tour of your corner of the world.
DeleteCathy< did you make the slide show? Very nice! WE have the equivalent of the Bedford village here in East Tennessee, The Museum of Appalachia. I love the Christmas celebrations of old, and these wonderful historic places are the next best thing to going back in time, especially at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy to do with my iMac--just plug in photos, select the theme, music, etc. and it does the rest!
DeleteYour tour of the Bedford Village must have been sublime. I can't think of a lovelier way to have Christmas than candlelit - and firelit. Christmases back in the day must have been quieter and more restful too, I would think. Reminds me of our first Christmas after my Mom died. My middle sister and her husband were hosting, because they have a great house for entertaining, and because my sister is a Christmas nut too. Patty was determined to make it a wonderful holiday for all, despite the fact that Mom had only been gone about 6 weeks at that point. My niece and nephew were 7 and 4 I think, and we didn't want our own adult sadness to mar Christmas for them either. Patty made the whole evening of Christmas Eve candlelit. No electricity allowed except for the tree lights. She had tapers, tealights, votives, hurricanes everywhere. Luckily she had a gas kitchen too - LOL. Patty goes decorating-nuts for every holiday and season - always has - and I have to say it all looked even better lit by candles. A lovely evening and a very quiet one, without TV or stereo. It must have been fairly similar to a Old Bedford Village Christmas. A step back in time... 🎄
ReplyDeleteI like that idea to have a non-electric Christmas. I pretty much have the affect of candlelight in my living and dining rooms because I have Christmas lights all year long on top of my bookcases and hutches and mantles that I turn on at night. My bookcases have task lighting on the display shelf I've created in each bookcase (there are 5 in my living room). Your sister made that first Christmas without your mother very special. I'd love to be a part of your family, Janet. ❤️
DeleteThat must have been a magical evening walking around this lovely village in the candlelight. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteMagical is a good word to describe our walk through the village.
Delete