Where did that come from? (The origins of some cherished Christmas traditions)

The Marlborough Historical Society's December's monthly presentation will be held on Tuesday, December 12th at 7pm at the Peter Rice Homestead in Marlborough.  Traditions and customs evolve over time; once every old tradition was a strange new innovation.  Consider how "traditional" A Charlie Brown Christmas, or How The Grinch Stole Christmas have become since they first appeared on television in the mid-1960s.  But what would an American Christmas be without them now?  Or Christmas trees, mistletoe, Santa, or for that matter, Rudolph?  And just what is Wassail or a Yule log anyway?  Every culture has its own distinct traditions, and every generation seems to add a new tradition or two of its own.  Who knows what future traditions may appear this year?  This illustrated talk looks at the origins of some of the most popular American Christmas traditions, including why for a long time most New Englanders did NOT celebrate Christmas.

Presented by :  Tom Kelleher, Historian and Curator of Mechanical Arts
                       at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

*  Coffee, Tea and Refreshments will be served