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Ad Rates / Articles / Classified Ads / Editorial / Home / Links / Showtime   Antiques and Collectibles Articles   Follow the arrows to other stories Celebrating cherished pieces and events of Christmas past   By Ted Currie Revered American author Washington Irving adored the old traditions of Christmas. He wrote about the great importance of preserving the historic observances of the season, and all pertinent relics of the festivities.   Irving documented these sentiments in his well known "Sketches," published early in the 1800's. He believed the industrial advancements in England and the responding social changes were making many traditions obsolete. Some deservedly so, because of the social inequalities they represented. Christmas traditions however needed a protector   In two books, one simply known as "The Sketch Book," and the other, "Bracebridge Hall," the reader is introduced to the family of Squire Bracebridge, and all the other unique inmates of the great Hall, the fictional domain somewhere in England. Bracebridge Hall was most likely a fictional revamping of the Abbotsford Manor, the home of Irving's friend and author-colleague, Sir Walter Scott, where the American writer once resided during a lengthy English adventure. Irving listened intently to Scott's sage advice and histories, and developed a deep-seeded appreciation for a way of life that was being eroded and made irrelevant.   My first hometown, here in the District of Muskoka, Ontario, is by no coincidence, a community of the same literary name. "Bracebridge," is situated on the 45 parallel of latitude, halfway to the North Pole. It is the home of Santa's Village, a summer season theme park that began in the 1950's, and a popular attraction that continues hale and hardy into this new century. In the late 1970's, as a fledgling historian, pursuing some recreational scrounging through the town archives, I discovered that Bracebridge was named after Washington Irving's "Bracebridge Hall." It was given this distinction in 1864, as a tribute to the recently deceased Irving, by Canadian Postal Authority, William Dawson LeSueur, a man of considerable literary accomplishment himself.   LeSueur named many communities across Canada during this period, some with unique literary connections. My present hometown of Gravenhurst, was named by LeSueur in 1862, after the work of English poet-philosopher William Henry Smith's book, "Gravenhurst, or Thoughts on Good and Evil." Fortunately LeSueur only borrowed the "Gravenhurst," part of the title.   What fascinates me about Irving was his unyielding passion to preserve the time honoured traditions of old England, particularly the way Christmas was celebrated. As a writer in a newly liberated America, he penned his deep concern about the way the citizenry of the independent nation was unnecessarily disconnecting itself from the motherland, and the centuries of accumulated culture linked in that ancestral relationship. His study of a Christmas festival at Bracebridge Hall, is a clear example of Irving's determination to make this new America aware of their cultural legacy, suggesting they not abandon all the "old" ways simply because a war created independence.   During the Christmas season, I always think about those grand festivals Irving wrote about, and the bright decorations, tantalizing scents and the splendid array of food adorning the dining table of the great hall at the Bracebridge estate. Peacock feathers in cheerful sprays rising regally from fine porcelain vases, the wassail bowl, the scent of spices, the cider, the permeating aroma of seasonal fare, roasting game and crackling Yule log fire; fine silver of the historic estate shimmering in candle glow. The music. The dance. The aura of history and the prevailing antiquity intertwined. The toast. The invitation to partake in bountiful food and beverage in the spirit of Christmas goodwill.   What a scene it must have been to sit at that table with the Bracebridge family, as did Irving, (at Abbotsford with Scott),and participate in a time honored, adored, cultural and family-spirited event.   Here at our modest Birch Hollow, we don't have a great hall to decorate, and we don't own even one peacock feather to adorn our most extravagant vase. But every Christmas season, we also honour the good intentions of Mr. Irving, in his bid to preserve Christmas tradition, and surround ourselves pleasantly with the history of Christmas past. We bring out our favourite oil lamps and fire them up. We dig out the Christmas ornaments we purchased each holiday for our wee lads (now all grown up), and some of the charming old toys we've acquired antiquing across the province. By the time we've finished decorating our humble Muskoka abode, we will have several hundred years of vintage Christmas antiques and collectables, to remind us of all the memorable festivities of the past.   We particularly enjoy the opportunity to re-connect an old neglected piece of Christmas memorabilia, from as far back as the early 1800's, with the present day celebration. There's something marvelous about sitting amidst this accumulated history, enjoying our own Bracebridge Hall recognition. And we will always have a copy of Washington Irving's English country stories on the mantle, to read aloud on Christmas Eve, in the warm embrace of crackling fire and enduring tradition.   It is at Christmas moreso than any other season that I truly appreciate the relevance of all events, lives and friendly associations that have come before. How wonderful it is once again this Christmas, to be in association with the publisher and writers who bring you this informative, thought-provoking publication.   Take the time this holiday season to visit the many exceptional and charming antique shops, shows and malls promoted in the Wayback Times. Let them know you read about their enterprise in the Wayback Times. If you don't currently advertise your business in this paper, make it a New Year's resolution to do so. There are many antique hunters out there who want to visit your shop or show.   We'll show them the way.   From the Currie family, Suzanne (quilts and fine china), Andrew and Robert (vintage guitars and records) and Ted, (old books and historic documents), have a truly historic, with all the bells and whistles, "Merry Christmas."   Bring an antique home for Christmas.   Other articles by Ted Currie   Regional book collecting Books on local history Books at auction Book sleuthing       Return to top of page   This Is Livin' Publishing © 2007 581 8th Line West, RR1 Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0 Phone/Fax: 705-696-1833   webmaster