Spirit of Christmases Past returns to Heritage Center

Display replicates holiday decorations through the eras

Nov, 10-2009 3:33 pm

By SHAUN SMITH
Staff Writer

SOMERS POINT – The Atlantic Heritage Center will host its second annual Spirit of Christmases Past, celebrating the traditions of Christmas from the colonial period through the Victorian era and beyond, beginning with an opening ceremony 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

Since April, program committee Chairwoman Sheryl Collins of Egg Harbor Township and volunteers Ethel Van Doren, Trudy Fenton, Jenna Perfetti, Charlene Canale and Grayce McConville have put in 330 hours making the 35 period-inspired wreaths that will decorate the center. There will also be seven decorated Christmas trees in the building on display throughout the holiday season.

“They just let their creative juices flow,” Collins said Thursday, Nov. 5.

She said that by researching the different eras, the group found and replicated the elements used in decorations for specific time periods to create the wreaths and trees.

For example, greens, pine cones, fruit, feathers and other natural elements were prominent features for wreaths in the Colonial era, she said.

“They didn’t have much money, so they made do with what they had. In the Colonial era they used fruits and nuts. In the Victorian era they used fans and baby dolls,” Collins said. “We tried as hard as we could to stay within the eras.”

She said the Victorian trees have fans made from wallpaper, flowers and lace. Trees and wreathes decorated for more current times feature glass ball ornaments and cookie cutters for decorations.

Collins and other volunteers were busy Thursday setting up the displays on all three levels of the Heritage Center, happy as elves and eager to see the finished products.

All of the wreaths are for sale, with prices ranging from $20 to $50. Many of the decorations will be for sale during the event for under $5, in addition to angel pins, Christmas fan pins, fan ornaments and floral pins. There are also various table settings and decorated baskets that will be for sale in addition to live holly tied with velvet bows.

All the wreaths and trees will be on display Nov. 19 through Dec. 17 in settings and placements that are reminiscent of Christmases past. Among the displays is a miniature village featuring a log cabin setting built in December 1915 by Alfred Frambes as a gift to his grandson Lewis S. Frambes.

The museum level will feature Victorian décor, the library level will be decorated in colonial style, and the third floor will have decorations from many eras.

In addition to the kickoff reception Thursday, Nov. 19, there will be a Cookie Walk and concert 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. Homemade cookies will be available for purchase by the pound or in tins, and director Carl Granieri will lead the St. Joe's Choir of Praise for a concert of Christmas songs. 

Proceeds from the sales benefit Atlantic Heritage Center. Admission to the museum and events are free. “It’s important for us to have a fundraiser because it’s difficult to get a grant if you haven’t attempted to raise funds on your own,” noted Collins.

To comment on this story

email Shaun.Smith@shorenewstoday.com.

If You Go

Spirit of Christmases Past

Nov. 17-Dec. 17 with opening reception 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19

Also open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; and from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.

Atlantic Heritage Center

907 Shore Road

Somers Point

Call (609) 927-5218.