Santa Claus coming to town.

  I live in a small rural town in Missouri. It is 70 miles from St.Louis and 50 miles from Hannibal. These are the nearest and best know towns that are close to me. Our town, Clarksville,Mo. has about 400 people. The town is are very old , 1815, and right on the  banks of the Mississippi river. Being a historic town on the river we have tried to promote tourism.All our old brick store fronts have been restored and are open. The town has many artist studios and galleries along with two antiques malls, one of which is mine, The Downtown Antique mall. I also own and operate the 1845 Historic Elgin/Cottrell House Museum.which doubles as my home. My blog friends know it as, My Old Historic House. Through out the year, we have many events to bring people to town. In December we decorate and  welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to town. It is quite an event. Santa arrives by fire truck. His sled and reindeer awaits him  at city hall, which is decorated with hundreds of trees, Santa, snowmen and much much more. This is mostly done by our Mayor. She is very much devoted to this task and loves doing it for the children. Hundreds of visitors come each December. bringing  there children, family, pets and cameras. I just wanted to share a little with you today. In spite of the Worlds problems, Christmas must go on for the Children and today in Clarksville,Mo. it has done just that..
    I hope have a wonderful Christmas and maybe I'll see you again before the New Year. Love and  Best Wishes from My Blog to Yours. Richard and Sissy

Christmas Cards - December 2012

   Every now and then we all find ourselves with a budget problem. That is me this Christmas. So I had to be creative. I always enjoy sending and getting Christmas cards. It is a time to catch up with family and friends and give a little cheer. It is so exciting to open them up and see what people have chosen. Some are big, some small, small serious while others are plain. I always know who will send the funny ones, the religious ones and the ones with family pictures. I  came up with this idea a few weeks ago and have been having fun making and sending them.. I have two versions, one for the serious on my list and the second for the fun lovers. Some people with children and a very few who are extra special, I send large envelopes with dozens and dozens. I know it must be fun and a surprise to open that envelope up and see snow flakes fall ever where.

    I made this picture of, My Old Historic House. I got a card last year with this snow and winter scene. I cut the center out and added a picture of my house behind. They print up really good and cost only a few pennies to print on the computer. I bought extra white paper and a little bit heavier than normal, just to make them a little bit nice. On this card I printed a little verse I came up with." I am dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones  we used to know. And to make sure we all will have one, I'm sending you some snow!!!

  The fun loving card is kind of a cop out. I found this picture on Facebook and copied it. I probably broke a law??? Sorry. I wrote on it. " The snowmen, not you!!! Have a White Christmas on me."
   Snow flakes have been made for many a year. I was taught the art of making them in grade school. Latter when I was an elementary art teacher, I loved seeing the kids faces as they created some of there own. They are a very fun and in expensive way to decorate or send cards. All scraps of paper, even tiny pieces can be used. I iron mine with the electric iron set on high or cotton. This takes all the fold marks out and makes them extra nice. I have them on my tree this year and hanging from my library chandelier.
   In closing, just remember, it doesn't have to cost a lot to send a Christmas wish or give a little present. Hope your Holidays are coming along and especially hope we all have a 'White Christmas." I know I will and so will my friends and family. Give it a try next year. I think people will like it.
       Merry Christmas,  from Richard ,at My Old Historic House, and especially Sissy Dog!!!

Christmas 2012, My Old Historic House.

A fresh cut pine tree sets  in an antique crock. Decorated with popcorn and cranberry strings, paper chains, hand cut snow flakes and some old hand blown glass ornaments.

A kennel of Staffordshire dogs from England are dressed for the holidays

Hand cut paper snow flakes decorate the Library chandelier.

A antique German feather tree is in the bed room, hung heavily with hand blown glass ornaments from Germany and Poland.

    Well another year has pasted and here we are ready to celebrate another Christmas. It is hard for me, an Old Timer, who is set in his ways and wants to remember the way Christmas was when I was a youngster.Things have changed so much and I am not sure they are for the good. The commercialization of Christmas is big business, but very sad to me. When I grew up there was no Black Friday. I hate the term and every thing it stands for. Gift giving has gotten out of control No longer does it have the meaning it once had, where bright eyed children got a sack of candy, an orange, a few coins and maybe a couple of toys. They knew it was a special time when every one was cheerful, spreading joy and love. The house was  simply decorated with  fresh cut greens, a tree and some bright ribbons. Sweets were abundant for the children and made many a smiley faces. The big meaning was Christ our Lord and Savory. Church programs, Carols and Nativity Sets were the center of  attention. I would be willing to bet that most kids growing up today have no ideal what Christmas really is all about. Don't get me wrong, there are still families that go to church, mid nigh mass and still teach there kids about the real meaning of Christmas. Today the decorations are over the top, almost extreme. I think most people don't even see them. I look at them as Christmas decoration factories that exploded. If one set of lights is good, one million is better. There was a program on the other night called extreme Christmas. Neighbors out doing neighbors, where did we go wrong???
   As a child growing up in the country I only got to go to town once in awhile. It was real treat to go at Christmas time. Bright lights, trees in all the shops and Christmas music on loud  speakers. I remember decorating the big tree at church and school and thinking it was the most wonderful time and so exciting.We went out in the fields and cut cedars, they were kinda brown and very sticky, but that's all we knew. I remember when I was 12 I asked for a store bought Christmas Tree. My mother, didn't tell my father, but on a trip to Louisiana we got one at the grocery store. I don't think a million dollars would have made me any happier.

A large antique German feather tree is decorated in the Library with hand cut snow flakes and hand blown glass ornaments from Poland and Germany

Paper chains decorate the real fir tree in the kitchen

Popcorn is strung for the kitchen tree.

The kitchen, the center of family life ,is decorated for Christmas and includes a real tree and a early Santa doll.

   The first Christmas tree in the White House was when Benjamin Harrison was president. in 1889. It was placed in the oval room, known today as the Blue Room and decorated by Caroline Harrison, the First Lady, who was an artist. She set the stage for what would become a much beloved Holiday tradition. The present day White House tree is also placed in the Blue Room.
   The marriage of Queen Victoria of England to Prince Albert of Germany in 1840 was a very important  event in the history of the Christmas Tree. Victoria was not born to be Queen. Her uncle the king, had now children, making her next in line to the throne.  In Germany they have had Christmas tree since the 16th century. Prince Albert brought this tradition with him when married Queen Victoria. The Germany's had for many years brought ever green trees into there homes in the dark, long cold winters for decorations., They were small  cut fresh trees and were placed on table tops. News of the Queen having Christmas trees in the palace soon spread and they    then became fashionable around the world. Some Germans arriving by way of Ellis Island also brought this tradition to American with them.
    Christmas became an state holiday in 1870 when President Grant signed it into law after it had passed in both houses of congress. It was signed in June of that year and December 25th was to be the day from then on.
   Most children, except city children, at that time of history were home schooled. As part of the school activities they did art projects. Hand cut snow flakes, paper chains and popcorn  strings were the favorite Christmas tree decorations at that time. Very few people had store bought decorations available. Tinsel ,as we know it, was invented in Germany in 1810. Germany, which makes sense as they have had the Christmas tree tradition the longest, also starting making fancy glass beads and figures to decorate trees. Poland soon started as well. These were made in a room at peoples house and  was known as,"Cottage Industry." They were delicate and expensive to ship. Soon the postal system developed better means of shipping and they were more readily available around the world by 1880.

Hand decorated sugar cookies in the dining room.

Old fashion ribbon candy like I got for Christmas as a child.

More hand decorated sugar cookies.

Fruit cake, most people hate and I love.

Peppermint sticks like I got as a child

Gum drops 

   In Germany the real fir trees were beginning to suffer from mass cuttings for Christmas trees. The Black Forest was also makers of fine furniture and clocks.So the solution was the invention of the first fake tree. Known today as German Feather Trees, these trees were also hand made in Cottage Industries. Goose feathers were cut down the center, the quill removed, died green and tightly wrapped around a heavy wire. Various lengths of wire were attached to a base to resemble a tree, Many of these trees have made it to modern day times. They are prized by there owners. Lovers of old fashioned things have made them popular once again and many companies are now mass producing them.  Since that time the fake tree has become almost the norm. Some children have never seen or experienced a real live tree. Today they are made in all colors and sizes and even come with the lights already attached.
   The poem, Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore was first published in New York newspaper in 1822. Moore was a Bishop and he officated in the inauguration of George Washington.  In the original poem, Santa was referred to as St. Nicholas.Before this poem was published there was no image of Christmas or Santa as we know them today. St. Nicholas was the Saint of Children. When he went into the priest hood he vowed to give up his worldly goods. So he often made a habit of dropping gold coins down the chimneys of the poor. Sometimes the coins would land in the stockings that were hung on the chimney to dry  and this is where the tradition of  hanging stockings came from. Most people relate the art of Christmas gift giving to the three Kings who came to find the Christ Child bearing gifts.Americans are responsible for the way Santa looks today. In many Europe Countries he appears as the old version of St. Nichols.
    Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly is a very old song. The melody is Welsh and dated back to the 16th century It become most popular in 1870 with the addition of the words we know today. This is the reason we decorate with holly and greenery today.
   Before 1890 Christmas trees were lite candles. A bucket of water was always present in case of a fire. In 1890 Edward Johnson hand wired 80 light bulbs of red and blue and wrapped them around a Christmas tree. Electric Christmas tree lights did not catch on fast. It was a decade before they did so. In 1899 President Cleveland commissioned the first electric lighted Christmas tree for the White House. At a cost of $200, about $3000 in today's money. General Electric made the first   electric light sets in 1903.  The middle of the 1900's brought the mini lights sets, called twinkle, and Christmas trees have never been the same since.

Fresh greenery cut from the garden. White pine, cedar and magnolia.

The dining room table laden with sweets and candy awaits Christmas morning

    Commercialization of Christmas as we know it today has become a religion all of it's own. Shopping substitutes as the primary source of Spiritual Meaning. The religion deity is Santa Claus, it's house of worship is the shopping mall. and it's Heaven is the thriving  economy. Santa is the Savior, not Jesus, because he is now the symbol, that most people know.
    I have tried at the 1845 Historic Elgin/Cottrell House Museum in Clarksville,Mo. to take my visitors back in time. No electric flashing lights, no trees hung upside down and only the simple things that meant Christmas so many years ago. Please consider taking a  tour. Just call anytime for a reservation.573 242 9688. Tours given anytime with a least 2 people. Thanks and have a wonder full Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years Ever. Richard
 

Antique feather tree in library with toys awaits Christmas morning

Antique feather tree in my room laden with glass ornaments from Germany and Poland

Antiques, what is it?

  Here we go with round three of the antiques, what is it game.Seems like a lot of you out there like this new format and are sending me lots of pictures and questions. Thanks for the great response.
  Today I have several pictures and questions and I will try and deal with them as they came into me. I might get some out of order, so forgive me in advance,
   If you are sending a picture, question about an item that has a markers mark or name, I would need to know that information. A picture, the best possible ,of the mark would be very helpful. Sometimes I can tell from just looking at the item, but to do real research, the marks, signature,etc. would be of great help!
  Now that I  have scolded you all, here we go.

  The first item today was sent in by CINDY PACHECO. She has sent a couple of pictures of a lady statue. At first glance one would think that she is French. Her hair-do and custom is very much so. When in fact, Cindy, she is American. The Germans were the first to make what we refer to as," Dresden Lace." It is a process where real lace is dipped into liquid ceramic and applied to a green ware statue. When that statue is fired in the kilm, the lace burns away and the design hardens and stays in place. Dresden was a town in Germany where lots and lots of porcelain factories were located, and all of this type of work was soon called, " Dresden."  I did a very long and detailed blog about this some time back. Just click into your search bar, dresdenlace myoldhistorichouse. it should pop right up.Your statue, I believe was made in American in and around 1920's or so. Americans were taken with old French fashions, via Television and Movies. While there is no mark to prove this, I feel, I am pretty sure I am right. It is a darling decorative statue. I love the story book character of it. I would say that it does not have a strong market at this time and the price would be some where around $25.00. It could command more in some places, especially if there was two collected after it. Thanks Cindy, I hope this helps.

   The next item came in from BJ at SWEET NOTHINGS. She has send a picture of a clock. She tells me that the clock was black when it was first found and I believe  her mother painted it white. The clock is metal. Well, BJ, your mother would fit right in, in todays world, where every one is painting everything white. I know it is a trend, I know it is fun and I know people can not help them self. I wish sometimes they could. I have had several people blog and say they were going to paint a wonderful old thing white. Gives me nightmares. I just saved a 1700's French Louis Phippe chest from the paint brush. Lord have mercy!!!! If you need to paint, paint junk, used furniture, it will do just as  well as a wonderful old antique. In the antique world condition is everything. Your clock was original a gun metal color of cast iron with brass trim. It was made during the industrial revolution when things were being mass produced. it is hard to tell you a lot more as I would need to know who made it, "marks".  You can see that the metal is a little rough, and this was done on purpose. While your clock looks fun white, it should not be. If the paint could be removed it would bring up it's value. If you like it white, then, there you are. Clock collectors are funny people. They have many and usually only look for a rare one. This clock is not rare, so would not be worth millions. I would say a fair price would be $125.00. Not painted maybe $225.00 In the  Shabby Chick world, people who love white paint, maybe around $50.00. I hope this helps, not hurts, BJ?

   Next we have a Victorian Wedding Dome,  sent in by Deborah Chester. As a lot of you know, I am  Dome Crazy. I have almost 100 of them in, My Old Historic House. I only have one wedding dome, kinda like yours. These were more popular in Europe than they were in America. They are now popular here and are being exported by antique dealers. They made millions of these and they can be found, not  often, but can be found. I am going to cut this short, because another Blogger, Vanna, from Delusions Of Grandeur did a wonderful post about wedding domes. I would say take a few minutes and go read this She goes into great detail and I could not say any of it better. Just type,domesdemariee delusionsofgrandeur, and it should pop right up. Your dome would sell from around $450 to $950 in todays market. I know that is a big difference in price, but depends on where it is, who wants it and is there are others close by. I have seen them sale very high at auctions and also sell for hardly anything. I hope this helps Debby,

   The last question today was sent in by CHRIS and JAY  LELAND. And oddly enough, it is another Dome! This one is what we call a Victorian Parlor Dome. All well appointed Victorian homes had one. They were usually  displayed on the Parlor center table. The domes were imported and held many items. The one that Chris and Jay are asking about has wax flowers inside. Again I am going to cut this short, and send you to a blog that I did all about these domes. Just click in your search bar, parlordomes,adifferentkindofflowerarrangemnts,myoldhistorichouse. It should pop right up. As for the value of your dome? Again the market is good now. People like us on the blogs have made them popular. People like me are crazy over them, so we often over pay. I would expect to see a price of $400 to $800 for your dome. I hope this helps,Chris and Jay.
   Thanks for your pictures and questions. Send me some more.  Remember send them to my email. www.cottrellprissy@aol.com. and if there is a makers mark, a picture of it would help. I look forward to seeing what you have and until next time, keep on blogging. Richard and Sissy Dog the Beagle.
   

Clarksville,Mo. Saturday September 15

 Look what I saw when I looked  out my window Saturday here in Clarksville,Mo. This is a pretty common sight to us, but I get excited every time. I only dream of taking this trip , someday! Enjoy. Richard and Sissy