What did Christmas 1865 look like? As reported in the Oshawa Vindicator:
December 27, 1865, page 2
Christmas The hopes of those who contemplated sleigh riding would form a great source of enjoyment on Christmas day were doomed to disappointment. The snow that fell on Friday caused the bells to ring out merrily on Saturday, and the overcast sky encouraged the hopeful to expect another fall, but the heat of Sunday was too much for that already on the ground. Skating was left as the only recourse. Throughout the day the rink was well patronized by skaters and lookers-on. A large number performed the regular duties of the day, although divine service was held in their respective churches. In the evening the Sons’ Hall was thronged by the members and their invited friends. Poetry written for the occasion was read; Christmas Anthems were rendered, and with these were mingled addresses, readings, recitations and music. At about ten o’clock, the social broke up, and as they wended their way home, several were passed, who, by their positions on the walk or the wayward steps gave evidence that they has not spent the evening soberly. Now and then the sound of brawling was beard, and once or twice drunken men came to blows. These gave evidence on the morrow, that their pains has dearly purchased their “Merrie Christmas.”
Sleigh ride in Oshawa, around the turn of the 20th century; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A971.39.16c)
As previously mentioned, the Oshawa Museum has been working towards a new book, looking at Oshawa’s untold histories. One chapter will focus on stories of women, and within we are highlighting the story of Bishop Bethune College. This private, Anglican school was in operation from 1889 to 1932, closing due to low enrolment. You can read about the history of this school by visiting the interactive map exhibit, Discover Historic Oshawa.
The archival collection has a unique donation from 1996, showing the school around 1898. There are exterior views and, more interestingly, interior views of classrooms, the chapel, and dormitories for the boarding students. There are 24 images in that collection, and I’ve selected a few of my favourite to highlight. I hope you find them as fascinating as I do!
Bishop Bethune College, April 23, 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.2)
Side view of Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.5)
Inside the reception room, Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898. It appears as though you can see the reflection of the photographer and the camera in the picture frame. Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.7)
Interior of one of the classrooms, Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.10)
Interior of the dining room, Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.11)
View of the chapel, Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.14)
The office of the Sister in Charge, Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.15)
Marjorie Grasett’s cubicles (dormatory), Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.18)
One of the girls’ cubicles (dormatory), Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.19)
One of the girls’ cubicles (dormatory), Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.21)
One of the girls’ cubicles (dormatory), Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.22)
Meta Grasett and Margaret Rogus, Bishop Bethune College, c. 1898; Oshawa Museum archival collection (A996.6.24)
Recently, an Oshawa Historical Society member passed along a small vintage booklet from the 1960s that was prepared for Guiders by Coca-Cola Ltd. This particular booklet and/or advertisement highlights how a guider could earn their Hostess Badge.
“Be A Hostess” Pamphlet from Coca-Cola
The booklet is small, measuring approximately 4×6 inches, and the cover uses the classic Coke colours of red and white. Within the booklet are the “Requirements For Girl Guide Hostess Badge,” and there are plenty of tips on how to arrange a party, send out invitations, and what types of refreshment to serve, the obvious choice “ice cold frosty bottles Coca-Cola!” This is advertised throughout the booklet as the drink of choice. The booklet also offers examples of parties to host such as a Parent Party, Halloween Party, Valentines, Birthday, or other special events.
After reading through the booklet and viewing the drawings, the tips are reflective of the gender roles of the early 1960s. Although this is definitely an advertising piece, the individuals who wrote the tips wanted to ensure that upon completion of the Hostess Badge, the Guider would leave with the knowledge of running a fun and organized party!
How to host the Perfect Parent Party
Some of the tips offered I would consider to be useful even today and in my opinion should be incorporated more often.
Host introduces people with similar interests so that they could talk.
Host introduce newcomers to individuals rather than the whole group to avoid feeling overwhelmed and it is recommended that they check on them often throughout the party to ensure they have settled.
The last line under the tips section reads: “Above all… from start to finish of any party – be calm and confident… and, as in many other guiding acitivies… be prepared.”
The inside front cover contains information for Girl Guide leaders and/or guiders about Coca-Cola Ltd. In addition, the local bottler was “Prepared” to assist with providing refreshments at any special events. Coca-Cola would come out and set up booths, or guiders or their leaders could contact Coca-Cola by phone and ask for their Special Affairs Department. Coca-Cola was happy to assist with event preparations!
Inside cover
Although there are some great tips for hosting a party within this booklet, I do not think I will be pulling out when preparing for my next party. Nevertheless, it is a fun addition to our collection of Oshawa guiding memorabilia.
Yesterday, at sundown, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began. This festival is eight days long, and the dates shift on the calendar every year as the Jewish faith follows the lunar calendar, and not the solar calendar.
Oshawa has had a thriving Jewish community since the early 20th century, and in 1953, the Oshawa Daily Times-Gazette featured an article, detailing how the local community celebrated Hanukkah.
It was held at the ‘new’ synagogue on Sunday, December 6. At this time, the Jewish community had outgrown house on Albert Street that was used as the synagogue and had purchased the former Llewellyn Hall, 138 King Street East, and this served as the place of worship until the Beth Zion Synagogue was constructed in the mid-1950s.
138 King Street East in the 1950s. Daily Times-Gazette, 1 Apr 1955, p. 3
There was the Choral festival service. The choir was formed by pupils of the Hebrew Classes and led by Rabbi Norden. “Recitation and singing of psalms from the ritual Chanukah festival introduced the sacred ceremony of the lighting of the Chanukah lights.” Rev. Mellow of the Northminster Church participated in the service and said some words. The service was concluded with singing of the Hanukkah hymn and prayer.
After the service, there was a party “at which an amateur concert by the children under the able supervision of some Jewish High School pupils was greatly enjoyed by adults and youngsters alike.”
In 2021, the Oshawa Museum partnered with Empty Cup Media in producing our micro-doc: Traditions and Celebrations: The Story of Oshawa’s Jewish Community. To learn more about Oshawa’s Jewish community and Hanukkah celebrations, please watch the micro-doc!
Canada is large, diverse nation, and the holidays are often celebrated differently in our various regions.
For example, in Newfoundland, you could go mummering. This tradition involves groups dressing up in costumes and often masks and travelling door to door spreading cheer. If the mummers are welcomed into a house, they might partake in informal performances, including dance, music, jokes, or recitations. Because the mummers are disguised, the hosts will have to guess their identity before offering them food or drink; the hosts will try many ways to get the mummers to reveal who they are, and in turn, the mummers go to great lengths to disguise their true identities. Once guessed, the mummers will stay and visit with the hosts, before moving onto another home.
The earliest recording of mummering in Newfoundland dates to 1819, however it is likely to have taken place earlier.
If you were to find yourself on the south shore of Nova Scotia around the holidays, you may see the tradition of Belsnickeling, rather similar to Mummering in Newfoundland. While dressed in multiple layers of clothing, people go from house to house, and their neighbours try to guess who is at their door. The guests are given food and drinks until their identity is correctly guessed, and then they proceed to the next house.
Every year, the official Christmas Tree in Boston, MA is given to the city by Halifax, NS. On December 6, 1917, the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia suffered a terrible tragedy. As explained in the Canadian Encyclopedia:
Halifax was devastated on 6 December 1917 when two ships collided in the city’s harbour, one of them a munitions ship loaded with explosives bound for the battlefields of the First World War. The result was the largest human-made explosion prior to the detonation of the first atomic bombs in 1945. The north end of Halifax was wiped out by the blast and subsequent tsunami. Nearly 2,000 people died, another 9,000 were maimed or blinded, and more than 25,000 were left without adequate shelter.
In the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the city of Boston, MA sent support, supplies and medical personnel. In recognition of this, the province of Nova Scotia sends Boston a Christmas Tree every year, as they did in 1918 and they have done every year since 1971. The tree from Halifax is Boston’s official tree and is lit in Boston Commons through the holiday season.
A réveillon often takes place on Christmas Eve in Quebec and other French speaking places in Canada. This long dinner typically involves family and can last into the early hours of Christmas Day.
Canada’s oldest Christmas song is Huron Carol, believed to be written around 1642 by the French Jesuit missionary Jean de Brébeuf at St. Marie Among the Hurons, near current day Midland, Ontario. It was originally written in the Wendat language, and the English version, “‘Twas in the moon of wintertime,” was written by Jesse Edgar Middleton in 1926. The tune is related to a 16th-century French song, “Une jeune pucelle.”
Inuit peoples typically celebrate Sinck Tuck at this time of the year. This celebration happens around the solstice and consists of dancing, gift giving, and feasts.
One could theoretically plan a Christmas themed road trip around Canada. Towns to visit include: Reindeer Station, NWT; Christmas Island, NS; Sled Lake, SK; Holly, ON; Noel, NS; Turkey Point, ON; and, Snowflake, MB. It would be a long trip, mind, but it would be holly jolly indeed!
Henry House decorated for the holidays, 2023
Finally, a beloved holiday tradition for the Oshawa Museum is our annual Evening of Lamplight. For 2023, it is taking place on Saturday, December 2, from 6-8pm. For more info, please visit the Oshawa Museum’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/728766385735456
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