Between 300 to 400 people attended the Historic Holiday Window Walk over the event’s four days at The Grove National Historic Landmark in Glenview.
Starting Dec. 10, evening visitors could experience scenes of a traditional 19th century family Christmas through live window displays at Kennicott House.
Small groups were guided past windows where costumed interpreters demonstrated historic activities, leading up to a visit with Santa Claus in a socially distanced fireplace setting. The event sold out very quickly, even after several added sessions, said Lorin Ottlinger, director of The Grove National Historic Landmark.
“This has been a rough year for all of us and our usual holiday programs had to be canceled due to state restrictions,” Ottlinger said. “We still wanted to provide an opportunity for families to experience an old-fashioned Christmas and a visit with Santa in a safe manner.”
Diane Michalski, the facility’s recreation program supervisor, was in charge of the seasonal event and remarked that during the holidays, people are often nostalgic and want a connection traditions.
“The program is reminiscent of many family traditions of going downtown to State Street to see all the big department store windows decorated for the holidays,” Michalski said. “This program is unique in that The Grove is providing guests an opportunity to participate in a fun family holiday activity safely during COVID.”
Kris Van Voorhis and Marilyn Anderson participated as interpreters. Both are board members with The Grove Heritage Association, which raises money to support programs and facilities.
“I think that it’s great we can do this,” Van Voorhis said. “People are looking for that homey feel … family, and I think that’s what this depicts.
Baked in the kitchen as examples of vintage holiday cooking were a large Christmas cookie and oatmeal pie. Oatmeal was more affordable than pecans.
“I love doing it,” Anderson said, of cooking on a wood fire stove. “Pioneer skills are my favorite things … to do the cooking.”
Bob Hilger demonstrated gift wrapping of the 1850s, using plain brown paper, which was common years ago for gift wrap. He also wrote Christmas cards at a desk in a bay window.
“(Christmas cards) actually were considered a gift, that’s how important they were,” Hilger said.
In the parlor, a tabletop Christmas tree was decorated with natural materials typically found in the local environment and repurposed as ornaments.
Lyla Brehart, 10, Emma Brehart, 8, along with their mother Laura Coleman, portrayed family members in period dress.
The Brehart girls listed things nowadays that weren’t around circa 1850.
“First off there are phones, there’s TV, there’s Minecrafters, there are video games,” Lyla said. “The wallpaper isn’t like this.”
Visiting The Grove on Saturday were Matt and Cheryl Priesbe of Glenview and their son Michael, 8.
Michael gave Santa Claus a wish list which included books and a video game.
Cheryl Priesbe hoped Michael, “would just appreciate Christmas from a different time period.”
Phillip and Stefani Vaca of Northbrook brought their children Charlotte and Logan.
“This is actually very shocking to me, this house is that old from 150 plus years ago,” Phillip Vaca said. “I like that it’s a different change of things.”
Kris Van Voorhis, who used to work for the Glenview Park District, summed up why she volunteers at The Grove and why she frequents the antique rooms and land.
“It becomes part of us,” Van Voorhis said. “It becomes part of our family.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter.
