The spirit of a Victorian Christmas at Johnston Historical Society

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 12/8/16

Bel McGowan “honored Christmas in her heart” in true Dickensian fashion at Johnston Historical Society’s Victorian Christmas event.    

The Museum Barn, located next to the historical …

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The spirit of a Victorian Christmas at Johnston Historical Society

Posted

Bel McGowan “honored Christmas in her heart” in true Dickensian fashion at Johnston Historical Society’s Victorian Christmas event.    

The Museum Barn, located next to the historical society’s Elijah Angell House at 101 Putnam Pike, resembled a festive setting of yesteryear, with a beautiful white feather tree decorated with gold ornaments and miniature Christmas village of a by-gone era.    

Louis McGowan, the JHS president, greeted visitors with a tip of his top hat, “Happy holidays…thanks for coming…Bel has planned quite an entertaining event for everyone.”    

Some ladies dressed in their Victorian era finest for the occasion, including Patricia Perry, who is no stranger to JHS members. Perry, who owns Sneak Peek productions, presented a theatrical presentation, “Victorian Christmas.” Her presentation ended with a reading of the story “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” by author Clement Clarke Moore.

Guests enjoyed an array of foods, from cheese and crackers to mincemeat pie, arranged on several long banquet-style tables.

“Everyone loved the desserts,” Ursillo noted of the plentiful offering of fruitcakes and brownies made by JHS members.

Holidays wouldn’t be the same without Christmas carols. Scituate resident Mari Ingesson played many traditional favorite on the violin.

“What a pleasurable afternoon,” said Anthony Ursillo, a JHS board member who wore a Victorian cloak dating back to the 1920’s. “We had people here from the Garden Club, family members and friends. And we have to thank Bel for today, a grand pre-Christmas celebration featuring fine foods, fellowship and friends.”

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