They have turned off the lights at Old Sturbridge Village for the season.
But, it is for good reason.
The popular living history museum in Sturbridge is inviting visitors in December to step into the past and learn more about New England holiday traditions of the 19th century and today during its “Christmas by Candlelight” celebration.
Christmas by Candlelight will be held on the following dates in December: 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Visitors can stroll through the decorated village, listen to stories and live music, sample sweet treats, ride the horse-drawn carryall and more. The illuminated evening with its more than 4,000 warm and welcoming candles in tin lanterns comes to life with a lighting ceremony every night at 4:30 p.m.
“Christmas by Candlelight has seen several iterations over the course of a decade or more and started as a way to attract visitors at a typically quiet time of the year. Museum staff saw an opportunity to use the space to teach about the historic aspects of Christmas. Recently it has evolved into a campus-wide event that family and friends look forward to as a tradition each year,” said Christine Freitas, director of communications and content for OSV.
According to the National Candle Association, candles have been used as a source of light and to illuminate celebrations for more than 5,000 years. Colonial women offered America’s first contribution to candlemaking when they discovered that boiling the grayish-green berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. Jump ahead to 1879 when the light bulb was introduced and candlemaking began to decline.
Christmas by Candlelight is a “romantic” depiction of what the holiday might have been like back in the 1830s, the timeline represented by Old Sturbridge Village. While there would have been no lightbulbs back then, neither were most people celebrating Christmas.
“We do see some historical references to ministers making note of it in their sermons, as well as writings in some people’s diaries about the day. But all that we think of in terms of celebrating Christmas from its big feasts, family gatherings, and many of the popular traditions of today were simply not the norm yet,” said Rhys Simmons, director of interpretation at OSV, about Christmas which wasn’t an official state holiday in Massachusetts until 1856 and only declared a federal holiday in 1870.
The village is also lit up more traditionally along their Christmas Tree Trail with some 50 cut trees delivered to OSV for Christmas by Candlelight that encircle the mill pond, with their soft lights reflecting off of the water.
Dedicated history buffs who want to set the tone for their holiday visit, might want to begin their tour by heading to the Salem Towne House where Christmas traditions of the past can be viewed in its three parlors from the history of Christmas trees, gift giving, celebrations and decorating for the holidays.
The sounds of the season can also be heard during your holiday journey through Old Sturbridge Village with historical musical performances including costumed historians playing various instruments each night in several locations. The OSV singers also perform on Sundays.
There also will be readings of “The Nativity Gospel of Saint Luke” and “The Nativity Gospel of Saint Matthew” in the Friends Meetinghouse or hear classic Christmas tales being told including Spanish readings of “Un Cocqui de Boriquen,” a Puerto Rican children’s story.
For all good little boys and girls visiting the village, not the modern Coca-Cola inspired Santa, but a more Victorian depiction of the jolly ol’ elf will make an appearance each night at his workshop on Gallery Row. Next door to St. Nicholas in the David Wight Community Gallery, the Worcester Model Rail Roaders has set up a few Holiday Express model train layouts. They will be onsite to talk about their displays and answer questions about their beloved hobby. And for kids and fun-loving adults, “The Magic of Bob Olsen,” will be presented in the Dennsion Building. Visitors young and old can make crafts at various stations throughout the village and try candle dipping for an additional fee.
While at Christmas by Candlelight, fans of gingerbread houses, who each year as a family tradition may build their own, can catch a glimpse of the many creations entered in OSV’s annual Gingerbread House Contest.
If you get hungry while walking throughout the decoarated village, a variety of hot foods and beverages will be sold in several locations, even specialty cocktails for those old enough to imbibe.
Shoppers looking for something different to gift friends or relatives, will find unique handcrafted holiday items available at the Miner Grant Store and the Ox & Yoke Mercantile.
Tickets are $36 online, $40 at the door on Friday or Sunday, an $45 at the door on Saturday. Special pricing is available for OSV members.
For more information on Christmas by Candlelight, visit the Village’s website or call 800-733-1830.
