Fun Fact Friday #25 - You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry...🎅

      Did you know that Santa Claus was a real person? 

The first depiction of the red suit Santa wears.
Thomas Nast c. 1869

     Of course you did!  Most people know that he is based off of somebody known as Saint Nicholas, but historically, we do not know much more about him. According to tradition, or legend, Saint Nicholas was known to to be the secret gift giver to children on December 6, the day the Church celebrates him and supposedly the date of his death. In Europe it became a custom for people to place nuts, apples, and sweets in shoes left beside beds, on windowsills, or before the hearth on his day.

      It is a popular notion that these traditions of gift giving in North America come from the Dutch when they founded New Amsterdam (New York) and then passed around from there. 

       Ever since the anonymous poem "The Night Before Christmas" was popularized in 1823, Santa was depicted as an elfin figure with "a little round belly/That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.". Even today the image of the jolly big guy continues to thrive.

Learn more about the history of Christmas traditions at the Backus-Page House Museum. Book a tour today!
29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, ON
519-762-3072
     

Fun Fact Friday #19 - Movie Buffs 🎥

Movie Poster for
"That Old Feeling"

       Did you know that a Hollywood movie was filmed in little old Wallacetown at the St. Peter's Church?

      St. Peter's Church in Wallacetown received it's 15 minutes of fame in 1997 when "That Old Feeling", starring Bette Middler and Dennis Farina, filmed a scene there. Although the church can only be seen for a few seconds, it did not stop the locals from a feeling of pride. 

St. Peter's Church

      Keith Large was the movie location manager for the film and was looking for "an Upper-New York State or Connecticut-style clapboard church" somewhere in Southwestern Ontario. The beautiful St. Peter's was the perfect fit for everything on their check list including a bell tower and a big window for one of the characters to look out of. 

Come see the church for yourself right next to the Backus-Page House Museum at 29526 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, Ontario. Call the museum for more details 519-762-3072 or visit www.stpeterschurchtyrconnell.org. 


      

Toolbox Tuesday - Hand Plane

Wooden Hand Plane

Hand planes could be made by hand at the homestead or could be purchased from a variety of companies who made and sold them.  One such company was the New York Tool Co., which was a name used by the Auburn Tool Company of Auburn, New York.  This company made planes from 1864-1893 and had a contract with the Auburn Correctional Institute (prison) and prisoners were the ones who made the planes.

Hand planes are quite simple to use.  Once you select the appropriate type for your job, you sharpen and adjust your blade and set to work.  Place the plane on the edge of your wood and apply pressure to smooth and flatten the wood.  Push the plane back and forth on the surface smoothly and continuously.  Planes were used for shaving down wood surfaces and it was recommended that one plane with the grain to avoid catching knots.