The
Spirit of Christmas Past Comes to Life as Black Creek Pioneer Village Presents
Christmas Remembered
November
16 to December 31, 2002
Toronto,
Ontario - Return to a time before Christmas commercialism. Celebrate the magic
of “Christmas Remembered” at
Black Creek Pioneer Village from November 16 to December 31, 2002.
Simplicity,
elegance and charm mark the holiday season at the Village, where the scent of
wood smoke draws visitors into the comforting warmth of Victorian homes
festooned with fragrant garlands, wreaths of evergreen and berries, and
kissing boughs. Tables are laden
with Christmas delicacies from a bygone era:
petit fours, mincemeat tarts, lemon pudding, gingerbread, shortbread
and tipsy cake. Candies, flags,
ribbons, seed pods and gifts decorate the traditional Victorian Christmas
trees in Mackenzie House and Stong’s first and second houses.
Many
of the rituals which we enjoy today had their beginnings in the 19th century. Increasingly lavish and
secular, Christmas changed from a primarily adult celebration to one in which
children reigned supreme. With
the popularization of Santa Claus, the widespread introduction of the
Christmas tree and stockings, and an emphasis on elaborate gifts, it was a
time when childhood was glorified and celebrated. Christmas became a time when
families gave to charities; helping the poor and needy became a seasonal
activity. Goodness and sentimentality became central to the idea of Christmas
and affected all aspects of its celebration - an emphasis which continues
until this day.
Special
Christmas Programming
During
this magical time of year, the Village will host three themed weekends.
Each will highlight an important aspect of the 19th century
Christmas.
Christmas Food, on November 30 and
December 1, will feature mouth-watering holiday
sweets and treats. Tables will be
piled high with traditional holiday fare and special demonstrations will give
visitors a glimpse of how Victorian cooks coped with baking in a cast iron
stove oven. String popcorn into Christmas tree garlands and, of course, sample
some of the special holiday treats from chestnuts roasted over an open fire,
to mincemeat tarts and warm cider.
On
December 7 and 8, Christmas Traditions will
delight visitors with a variety of 19th century holiday activities
including Christmas crafts, family games, and Victorian music and dance.
Create a decoupage Christmas card for a loved one.
Discover the history of Santa Claus and Father Christmas, and learn
about 19th century gift-giving traditions.
Try your luck at a game of Flying Feather, Hunt the Slipper, and other
Victorian parlor games. Practice
your footwork as you try such Victorian dance favourites as the quadrille or
the Sir Roger de Coverly.
Christmas
Decorations is the theme for December 14 and 15
when guests can discover the origins of the Christmas tree and learn how to
make fragrant Victorian decorations, like the pomander.
Visit the Village gardener and learn how to use greenery to create your
own Victorian Christmas décor. Children
can exercise their creativity to decorate their own Christmas baskets with
items found in nature. Wander
through the Village and enjoy the traditionally decorated homes and shops.
Make your own paper candy cone or raffia wreath.
Dining
at the Village: There is something to satisfy every
taste bud at Black Creek Pioneer Village. The Half Way House Restaurant (open
daily 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., closed in November) offers daily specials
featuring seasonal produce. For light refreshments, the Visitor’s Centre
Coffee Cart is available 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
About Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek
Pioneer Village, located at the corner of Jane Street and Steeles Avenue in
Toronto, is an example of the type of community that was typical in Ontario in
the 19th century. Nestled
along the banks of the Black Creek, the Village spans two farm lots.
The one belonging to Johann Schmidt was settled in 1809 and the other
was the site of the homestead belonging to Daniel and Elizabeth Stong who
arrived in 1816.
After the
severe flooding of Hurricane Hazel, the Metropolitan Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority (MTRCA) actively purchased flood plain lands in the
greater Toronto area to prevent similar problems in the future. They acquired the Schmidt farm now known as the Dalziel farm
and created the Dalziel Pioneer Museum that opened in 1956.
In 1958, the Stong family sold their property to MTRCA and working with
the Dalziel Museum, it was decided to preserve the buildings and recreate a
typical 19th century village.
Black Creek Pioneer Village was opened in 1960.
Daniel and
Elizabeth Stong’s First House and Second House, the orchard, the piggery,
the smoke house and grain barn form the heart of Black Creek Pioneer Village.
All of these buildings stand on their original foundations, and the
apple seedlings that Daniel and Elizabeth Stong planted more than 170 years
ago still bear fruit today. Seven
buildings including the Laskay Emporium, Burwick Home, Fisherville Church and
the Blacksmith Shop were moved to the site for the opening of Canada’s first
restored pioneer village. Over a
period of more than 22 years other historical buildings threatened by
demolition were moved from sites across Ontario and the Village grew to its
present size of more than 35 buildings. A
modern Visitor’s Center complex with collection storage areas, costume
depot, gift shop, catering facilities, theatres, gallery and administrative
offices was added to the site in 1985.
Many of the
buildings are staffed with interpreters in period dress who guide visitors
through Canadian history. Educational
programs suitable for all grade levels take a hands-on approach using the
Ontario Curriculum as a guide. They
range from one to five days with a wide variety of topics and themes.
From kitchen and herb gardens to the colourful flower gardens of Burwick House
and the ‘natural pharmacy’ for the 19th century doctor,
visitors will admire the heritage gardens lovingly maintained by the
Village’s staff. The sound of
the cow mooing, the clucking of the chickens in the farm yard and the pigs in
the barn all help to create the feeling of an 1860s village.
Visitors can
take a piece of history home by visiting the Laskay Emporium which offers a
wide range of country themed products such as pine buckets, tin barn lanterns,
beautiful quilts and old fashioned candy.
In addition, special events at Black Creek Pioneer Village such as the
Spring Fair, Military Muster, the Pioneer Festival and Lest We Forget add to
this authentic Victorian setting.
Visitors say
that the moment they step onto the boardwalk, they feel like they are stepping
back in time. The ring of the
blacksmith’s anvil, the soft clop of a Clydesdale’s hooves, the
combination of wood smoke and freshly baked bread in the air or the friendly
hello from the storekeeper – whatever the charm, the magic of the past is
still alive at Black Creek Pioneer Village.
For ticket prices and more information on Black Creek Pioneer
Village go to Toronto Area
Family Attractions.
For Hotels and Resorts near Black Creek Pioneer Village go to Toronto and Area
Hotels and Resorts
|
Click Here for Holiday Inn Hotels
For Hotels and Resorts near Black Creek Pioneer
Village go to
Toronto and Area
Hotels and Resorts
See the following sections for more information on
Travel in Ontario:
Toronto for the Family
To view Hotel/Resort
Destinations in Ontario Click Below:
To view
Family Attractions in Ontario Click Below:
To view Ski Resorts in Ontario Click
Below:
To view Travel News about Ontario Click
Below:
To return to Travel News
on Destinations Below:
Also Visit these other sections of
Travel News:
To view Travel News about Hotels and
Resorts Click Below:
To view Travel News about Family
Attractions Click Below:
To view Travel News about Ski Resorts
Click Below:
To view Travel News about Kid Friendly
Airlines Click Below:
To view Travel News about Safety Click
Below:
Travel
News - Safety
Click Below to Return to
|