December is an exciting month for seasonal festivities at Huntersville's Cedar Grove and the Hugh Torance House and Store, the oldest store in NC. The first three Sundays in December offer special events at the historic Store, and on Saturday, December 7th, we hope you can join us for HEARTS Winter Wisdom at Cedar Grove. All events are free and open to the community. Tickets available at Events at www.hught.org , donations are greatly appreciated.
Hugh Torance immigrated from Ireland and arrived at this site in 1779. Although we don't know how he and his family celebrated Christmas, we do know that 18th-century Christmas was very different from what it looks like today. The Christmas tree had not yet been introduced to America, and depending on your beliefs, you may not have celebrated Christmas at all, as some Puritans, Quakers, and Presbyterians frowned upon the holiday's frivolity. However, for those who did celebrate Christmas in the 18th century, it was a community affair, starting the day with firing guns and celebrating with plentiful food, drink, games, music, singing, and dancing.
We hope you'll join us to step back in time this Christmas season at the 18th-century Hugh Torance House and Store!
Sunday, December 1, 2024, 1:00-4:00 PM
Hanging of the Greens
Interested in learning about traditional 18th-century Christmas decorations? Join us for our annual, “Hanging of the Greens,” to create natural, historic decorations for the the Hugh Torance House and Store.
Decorating with fruit-bearing evergreens, such as mistletoe, ivy, and holly along with evergreen boughs from cedars and pines, was a common practice to welcome the season. The greenery symbolized the promise of Spring and everlasting life, a custom dating back to Roman times and adopted by many cultures through the ages.
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe also comes from the British Isles, where the Nordic goddess Frigg vowed to grant a kiss to all who passed under the mistletoe to prevent violence and loss. Today, mistletoe is associated with winter luck and love, and kissing under the mistletoe remains a holiday custom to this day.
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 2:00–5:00 PM
HEARTS Winter Wisdom: Stories from Cedar Grove
We are excited to welcome back Margaret "Chuck" Basinger, who grew up in Cedar Grove and is the great-great-great granddaughter of Hugh Torance. She'll share her memories growing up in the house: what has changed, and what’s remained the same. Pictured below is Chuck with her father, Dick Banks, in front of the old barn at Cedar Grove.
Basinger will also have her book ‘Tis the Season with Belle and Chuck on hand for purchase and signing.
Gina Stewart and Brenda Gambill return to Cedar Grove, presenting holiday and original songs by the Doubting Thomas Trio.
Live music, winter nature tips, local art, and mulled hot wine and cider, make this HEARTS event an extra special seasonal treat!
HEARTS December event is the final opportunity to view the visual art exhibit, “Land, Sea, and Sky” in Cedar Grove’s Center Hall. This exhibit features the works of Pam Imhof and Oluwanbe Amodu in collaboration with visual arts partner Nine-Eighteen-Nine Studio.
Also on display is the Tool Exhibit from last month’s HEARTS Harvest event, “Down on the Farm.” Come and explore the many unique and beautiful historic tools on display from Cedar Grove and surrounding farms.
Sunday, December 8, 2024, 1:00-4:00 PM
Christmas Crafts at the Store
This year we're featuring two crafts for our guests to make and take home: an orange clove pomander and a decoupage Christmas ornament.
Did you know the pomander was traditionally used as an early air freshener? Yes, the pomander dates back to the mid-13th century, when it was believed that the good scents of a pomander would protect the carrier from the "evil airs" of the plague. Through the centuries this evolved into a jewelry-like ornament carried by the wealthy, and eventually to the orange and clove creation we know today. The pomander provided a pleasant whiff to shield the many unpleasant odors one might encounter in those early days. Through the years, the orange pomander became popular as a holiday decoration and if dried properly can last for decades.
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 1:00-4:00 PM
Feasting and Caroling
Caroling and tasty treats make this Sunday afternoon a memorable occasion to put anyone in a holiday mood. Join us at the Hugh Torance House and Store as our Foodways Historian, Susie Worchester, shares stories around the campfire about 18th-century holiday food traditions.
Looking for a special and unique holiday gift?
Stop by the Hugh Torance House and Store, open every Sunday from 1:00-4:00 through December 15th. You’ll find local artisan goods, beautiful local crafts, honey, games, books, and so much more. We hope to see you soon.
More About HEARTS & the Hugh Torance House and Store
Designed to enhance our community’s shared sense of place, HEARTS grass-roots events are known for juxtaposing regional history and ecology with curated local music, visual art, and dance. HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) happenings are free, dynamic gatherings featuring music, visual arts, and lectures exploring local history, nature, and our shared sense of place. These events are made possible by dedicated volunteers, HEARTS Circle members, community partner Lake Norman Realty, and donations. All proceeds benefit HTHS’s efforts to further the HEARTS mission of historic preservation, ecological conservation, and forging community connections in our region.
The Hugh Torance House and Store is one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures and is adjacent to Cedar Grove, the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torrance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. The Hugh Torance House and Store is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity organization and is fully funded by donations from the community. You can support our mission to preserve, restore, and share the Hugh Torance House and Store with the community with an end-of-year donation, click here to give.
For more information, visit www.hught.org, email info@hughtorancehouseandstore.org, or call (704) 920-9931.
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