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19th Century Christmas Celebration Planned For Chatham At Fredericksburg And Spotsylvania National Military Park

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Published Date

November 24, 2015

Celebrate "Christmas at Chatham" on December 20/NPS

Even during the Civil War troops marked the Christmas holidays. Some insights of those celebrations will be offered at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in Virginia when "Christmas at Chatham" is marked on December 20.

From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., join park staff and living historians for Christmas at Chatham. Visit with historic Knickerbocker Santa, learn about how soldiers and civilians experienced Christmas during the Civil War, and participate in 19th century Christmas traditions. Christmas has always been a time of diverse experience and personal traditions. How did 19th century Americans celebrate Christmas, particularly during hard times such as the Civil War?

Activities will be available for children in the house and on the grounds while they are waiting for their turn to see 19th Century Santa, or after they are finished with their visit. Living historians in period dress will be answering questions about how Christmas was experienced by both soldiers in the camps and their loved ones left behind on the homefront. Children can both decipher a Civil War era letter and learn about different Christmas traditions from the 19th century. Light refreshments will be served by Friends of Chatham.

The programs will occur at Chatham Manor, 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg, VA, 22405.

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