Christmas at Hillside – 1889 Revisited
(December 3RD AND 4TH 2003)
Erica, Lindsay, Leta and
I had the privilege of going back in time to Christmas of 1889 at Ella Sharp’s
house (Hillside). We were actors in
the 5th annual Christmas at Hillside. Erica and Lindsay were Christmas Carolers, Leta was a group tour
guide and I was a local farmer and witnessed the debate between State Senators
John Sharp (Ella’s husband) and Senator Ramey from the Kalamazoo. Erica and Lindsay got their picture published on the front page of the Thursday’s Jackson Citizen Patriot! They are the 2 on the left. (You will need to hit your 'back' button on the browser to return here
Being part of the
production was a lot of fun. The
evening was based on a couple historical facts, but the volunteers were
encouraged to elicit audience participation and were free to adlib. Much laughter was heard at Hillside that
evening, along with the calls of “Happy Christmas”.
After a brief
orientation, the Ringers (tour guides) got their kerosene lanterns and led
their group of approximately 15 people over to the school house, which was
housing the debate. The group's
“mission” was to gather information for inclusion in the local ‘gossip column’
in the Jackson paper. Senator Sharp
was in favor of local inspection of beef, to reduce the possibility of T.B.
infected meat reaching our tables. The
debate also included a discussion on the possibility of women ever getting the
vote! (God forbid!).
From the schoolhouse and
the debate, visitors were invited to visit the Sharp home, where Ella and her
mother, Mary Merriman, were entertaining women visitors from the town and
making pomanders for Jackson’s Home for the Friendless. Mrs. Merriman helped found the home for
widows of Civil War soldiers, and it still exists to this day and is known as
the Jackson Friendly Home which houses elderly women. The group was ushered into Ella’s home, but before reaching Ella
and the other ladies in the dining room, they were stopped by Mrs. Horn and The
Honorable Mrs. Raney from Kalamazoo, in the sitting room. Mrs. Horn, a local busy body, had not been
invited to Ella’s gathering, and was “holding court” apart from the other
ladies. After a brief visit with Ella
and the others, the group traveled down the lane to the tower barn, where some
of the local farmers were complaining about the western beef issue and invited
the group over to warm themselves by their fire, as well as share some warm
roasted peanuts.
The group then proceeded
to the general store, where dad and his 8 kids were trying to decide what to
get mom for Christmas. After much discussion
of the pros and cons of various gift ideas, mom shows up to roundup the clan
and to take them home. The group then
stops at the Editor’s office and listens to the blustering of the editor. He decries the crass commercialization of
Christmas. But he does accept a last minute advertisement for inclusion in his
paper. But he doesn’t have any kind
words for the boy out in the lane carrying a ‘sandwich board’ advertising! He also is very distressed that the public
cares more for the gossip columns then his editorials. After leaving the Editor’s office, the group
sees how the printing of the paper is done, at the print shop next door.
The group then proceeded
to the Grange Hall, to hear the Christmas Program sung by McGonagal
sisters. After a wonderful rendition of
a couple of favorite Christmas Hymns, the group departs the late 19th
Century and returns to the present day, where they are warmed up in museums
restaurant, Ella's Granary. Chocolate cake
and cheesecakes were the featured deserts.
As for the players, they were served chili and mushroom soup, as well as
hot chocolate and coffee.
To learn more about Ella Sharp Museum, click here!
Merry Christmas to All!
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