Archive for the ‘Victorian Christmas’ Category

Shout Out to Wren’s Nest Victorian Christmas Volunteers

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While I know we have yet to share all the pictures from our Victorian Christmas celebration (which is not to say we don’t have any pictures*), the house has been looking holiday-ready for weeks.

When visitors compliment the beautiful decorations, Lain and I truthfully reply, “Thanks!  But I had nothing to do with it.”

It’s not just false humility, no sir.

We’re lucky enough to have a wonderful team of volunteers here every year to decorate the Wren’s Nest who, most amazingly, get the job done by lunch.  It’s nuts.  All Lain and I are essentially responsible for is locating scissors and telling folks what they can (nothing) and cannot (everything) touch.

Knowing the house will be in good and talented hands is a huge relief to us every year during this busy time.  We wanted to make sure to give a hearty “thank  you!” to everyone who helped out, whether their generosity was court-ordered or of their own volition.

For the last few years, we’ve been lucky enough to benefit from Lauren and Catherine’s design sense. This year we got a bonus in their mom, Jackie, responsible for these much-lauded dictionary-critter ornaments.

That’s Catherine up top and Lauren below with her mom and volunteer and Christmas-decorator-extraordinaire-and-lady-in-charge-Ida Beth.

So thank you, everyone.  Super special thanks to Marshall Thomas for wrangling all of the folks who have never been here before and Annette Shakespeare for regaling those same folks with a history of the house that, most importantly, didn’t disturb their t-shirt folding output.

If you still haven’t seen the decorations, we’ll be closed Christmas day, but open again (with storytelling at 1pm!) on Saturday the 26th.  Come on by!

*Wait, no, that’s exactly what I’m saying.  We are without pictures, totally.

Victorian Christmas Addendum — Do You Know How to Work a Camera Effectively?

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You may have noted in my last post that I said the house never looks as good as it does at Victorian Christmas.  You may have also noticed that the picture attached could be best described as “craptacular.”

For reasons unknown, we just don’t have any great pictures of the house all dandified in Christmas garb.

Instead, we have these.  Man, we’re terrible!

But wait — are you also terrible?  No?  You say you object to being called terrible because you are, in fact, actually good?  I’m not convinced.

I do know how you can prove it, however.

You should come take pictures at the Wren’s Nest, during Victorian Christmas.  Then, when you send them to us, we’ll say things like, “This is fantastic!” or, at the other end of the spectrum, “This reminds me of our old pictures.”

If we’re thoroughly convinced of your talent, we’ll offer you a fine looking t-shirt in exchange for your photos.  We may even use a sharpie to write “Wren’s Nest Official Photographer” on the back.  Everyone wins.

What do you say?

Victorian Christmas is This Sunday from 12 – 4pm! We’re Telling You So You’ll Come!

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Well here we are, post-Thanksgiving and into December.  That can only mean one thing — our annual Victorian Christmas Open House!

This Sunday, December 6th between 12 and 4, we’ll be offering tours of the museum, storytelling, activities for the kids, delicious real food, and everyone’s favorite not-real food, birthday cake!

Why birthday cake, you ask?  Because we’re rapidly approaching Joel Chandler Harris’ 164th birthday, silly.

It’s all free and a great opportunity to see the home at its best. Not only has our recent restoration made the place undeniably lovely, but we never look better than when we’ve been gussied up with historically accurate decorations.

Last year’s Victorian Christmas included highlights such as:

• a kid being called out by Catherine, volunteer and Asian Cajun, for taking 14 cookies at once
• no one touching the cold beverages
• a child rolling down the front stairs and emerging completely unscathed thanks to the padding of her down coat.

Though it may seem impossible, I think we can top it this year.

So hey!  Join us!  It’ll be great.

Brer Possums Sent to White House for Christmas in 1907

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On December 23rd, 1907 the New York Times ran a little story about Mrs. Helen D. Longstreet, widow of Confederate General James Longstreet.  Mrs. Longstreet sent two possums to the White House for the Roosevelt Christmas dinner.

The possums “surrendered” near the Wren’s Nest.  Click the article for a larger version.

I have many questions.  Here are a few–

• Who elected Mrs. Longstreet to the position of “Presidential Possum Postmistress?”
• Who currently holds this office?
• Where do I apply?

Here are a few more–

• Were the possums on vacation just prior to their surrendering?
• Did Mrs. Longstreet take possums on vacation regularly?
• Did the possums enjoy a warm reception at the White House or were they thrown in a heap with all of the other marsupials the Roosevelts had been sent?

I could do this all day.

Thank you, New York Times Archive, and Merry Christmas.

Southern Accents Magazine Lights Up Our Life, Yard

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Behold — the “holiday” (Christmas) issue of Southern Accents magazine.

Ooh, what a sparkly tree.  I wonder who designed it?

None other than Barbara Howard, Mrs. Shakespeare’s* Monday night bridge partner.

Man, if only I knew where all those pretty lights went after their late-August photo shoot.

Wait, is that the Wren’s Nest?  All gussied up for its fall concert?  It is!

Wow, who knew our lights were such glamorous cover models.  And who do we have to thank, other than Barbara up there?

Karna and Ellis!  They stole them!  Thanks, everyone!

Though this post is more than a little late, we figured it made sense to do it now for the following reasons:

• ‘Tis the Christmas season, a time for giving and thanks!
• The Wren’s Nest is poor, so giving and thanks play significant roles over here.   Any gift, large or small, is a big deal to us.
• And really, we probably have a use for most of your discarded items.  I mean, Christmas lights in August were huge.  Look how easy we are!

*Great-great granddaughter of Joel Chandler Harris.  Sure, you should totally know that by now, but I’m feeling generous.

Victorian Christmas and Joel Chandler Harris Birthday Extravaganza Tomorrow!

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Hey there!  Remember me?  I’m the one who didn’t go to Salt Lake City to see the outsides of many museums and the insides of a handful.  Not that I’m bitter.

I’m writing to remind you of your afternoon plans for tomorrow.

You know, when you come to the Wren’s Nest between noon and 4pm for a tour of the home, storytelling, and libations, all for free.

Bonus: Birthday cake that might even have “Happy Birthday Mr. Harris!” spelled correctly on it!  Yesterday’s ordering experience left me with some uncertainty.

To whet your appetite for Christmas decorations and good company, I give you this:

Hi Asian Cajuns! Hi Imani!  Thanks for your help decorating and see you all tomorrow!

Victorian Christmas at the Wren’s Nest – Come On Over!

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Because we here at the Wren’s Nest know holiday schedules fill up fast, let us formally invite you to the most Victorian Christmas in town!

Need convincing?  Here’s what lies in store for you on Sunday, December 7th between 12 and 4pm:

• Storytelling!
• Treats!
• Activities for children!
• Mrs. Shakespeare’s famous hot chocolate!
• Tours of the home!
• (163rd) Birthday Cake!

And best of all, it’s free!  Even the treats.

Here are some pictures from last year to prove I’m not lying about the treats.

Shakespeare Gives Uncle Remus a Hand

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This is approximately where I threw out my back. Note the rain drops–it had to be done.

Anyway, like I mentioned in the comments of the last post. We’re looking into restoring these at about $2,000 a pop. Any takers?

Thanks for the picture, Josh.

Victorian Christmas Recap

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For those of you not from the south, it may come as a surprise to you that it actually gets pretty chilly here in the winter. Sunday, however, was a little different.

Bright, sunny, 75 degrees, and we hosted a Christmas party. Bizarre.

Even more bizarre is that at one point it started raining. For those of you not from the south, it may come as a surprise to you that it still rains here, too. Who knew?

Anyway, we planned for about 75 people, and more than twice that showed up. It was a great success, a little circus-like, and certainly light on pictures since the staff was running hither and thither.

Here’s what we did capture–

In keeping with the day’s weirdness, we brought some crazy stuff out of the attic.

Here sit Uncle Remus and the Little Boy, part of a “diorama” donated by Disney for the premier of Song of the South.

Admittedly, they’re terrifying. I guess that’s what happens when you sit up in the attic for a few decades.

We have my mom to thank for a wonderful afternoon. Well, her and the unflappable Lee twins.

Hey, check out that ye olde Victorian punche.

Miss Woodie told stories for a little while as a crowd gathered ’round.

By the time she was done, there wasn’t much room to sit on either side of the porch.

It happened to be Joel Chandler Harris’ birthday. I cut the cake into the smallest squares imaginable.

It went quick. Lauren, you can thank me later for including this picture.

That’s all we got, unfortunately!

If anyone wants to send in some pictures, I’d be happy to forward it to our team of editors. It may just make it on the blog.

Victorian Christmas This Sunday at the Wren’s Nest

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In case y’all were curious, the Wren’s Nest is hosting its annual Victorian Christmas party, this coming Sunday afternoon. What better day to celebrate than Joel Chandler Harris Day.

Look, it’s decreed by the governor. You’ve been urged to celebrate. Beseeched, even. Why not do so at the Wren’s Nest?*

We’ll have birthday cake, tours, storytelling, stuff for the kids, and more Victoriana than you’d ever hope to see.

And not only is it auspicious–did I also mention it’s free?

Nope, free!

Even more free than twenty-six little ones, and yet even more free than a dime-piece for the wee children. See you there!

*Your only reasonable excuse is that you’re bundled up with a Duck and Herring Pocket Field Guide, hot off the presses.

But more on them later. In the mean time, if you want to become their friend on MySpace**, you can do so here.

**The Wren’s Nest totally would be friends with the good ducks and herrings from Duck and Herring Co. on MySpace, but, um, the staff of the Wren’s Nest doesn’t know how to make a MySpace page.

Well, Miss Nannie might, but she’s not telling. Sigh.