Customs & Beliefs – Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm

Patience is a Virtue, Recalling Wise Sayings of Childhood

Deb D (Aunt Eunice) — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 16:52:00 +0000

Cabin Fever Setting In

Hello Folks, Aunt Eunice checking in and praying you are well. As our enforced time at home continues, I find my patience is getting thin. There is an old verse that goes “Patience is a virtue, find it if you can, seldom in a woman and never in a man.” I believe it is truly important though to “stay the course” and keep up the social distancing. Yet, sometimes the “collar chafes”! Being inside on these rainy days has me “chomping at the bit” to get some fresh air. Yesterday I walked with my umbrella. Several days ago, I watched through the window as a large pond formed in my backyard. It is still an oversized mud pit! It has a bear’s footprints in it and I am sure he must be the guilty party in the garbage can incident!! These days it can feel like you are under house arrest being home bound as we are, especially if weather keeps you cooped up.

Wise Sayings for Every Occasion

I have been taking the time, since I have it, to go through old paperwork. I found a number of my mother’s old journals. I am not sure if it is because she was from the south or if it was a generational thing, but her writing and her conversations were always laced with sayings. It was the same for the early settlers who had a saying for almost every occasion or circumstance. It was a way of teaching as most folk phrases had a “moral to the story” or a message to make a point. Some sayings had to be simple colloquialisms. My mother and her sisters had lots of sayings about water and bridges such as “weights what broke the bridge” in reference to their children saying “Wait a minute” when called by a parent. My mother was not one to get in a tizzy about things. It took a lot to “ruffle her feathers.” She believed it was a matter of “water over the dam” or “under a bridge.” I wish I had more of her calm affability right now.

Some folk phrases like “Angels weep when women whistle” could have discouraged girls from becoming whistlers which was not considered appropriate for young ladies. “A stitch in time saves nine” was a way to teach that a problem should be tackled while it is small rather than when it gets bigger, which is almost always what happens. Some sayings like “it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans” may seem of little use to us. Back in the day though everyone knew whether you were talking about a subject in a size sense or monetary one a hill of beans wasn’t worth much. On the farm, there would be animal sayings like “madder than a wet hen.” Have you ever seen a wet hen? If so, you know it is very mad indeed. “Til the cows come home” means settle in, because whatever we’re talking about or doing is going to take awhile. Cows aren’t known for their speed. A farmer might tell his son “don’t buy a pig in a poke” as a way to teach him to get a good look at an animal before purchasing it. It’s hard to really see an animal enclosed in a small pen. It was also a message saying be sure what you’re getting into before you commit. “A new broom sweeps clean” may be a reference to a person with a fresh perspective clearing the air. I do find a new broom really does sweep cleaner than my old one. I love getting a new broom, especially an old fashioned one made from broom corn.

But Home is Truly a Haven

Henry David Thoreau once said “Our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed in them.” I believe he was referring to what I say is “our houses are so much to take care of and take up so much of our time that the house owns us rather than the other way around .” My frustration with being sequestered may sometimes make my house seem like a prison, but I know it is truly a haven. A place to be safe, helping us keep others safe, doing my part to contain this dangerous virus. I am sharing quality time with family, getting my work done from home, accomplishing odd jobs I’ve been meaning to get to. I pray for those on the front line, those who are out of work, those without the necessities they need, those suffering from the virus and those grieving over the loss of a loved one.

I hope we can all find a way to accept our confinement with grace, with patience for what steps are needed to get us to the other side of the pandemic. Take care, my friends, and stay safe. Talk to you soon. Aunt Eunice

Groundhog: Farmer’s Nemesis, Yet Beloved in February

Deb D (Aunt Eunice) — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 22:48:00 +0000

Hello Folks,

Aunt Eunice here today with some information on groundhogs, otherwise known as woodchucks. With Groundhog Day just around the corner I want to share some facts about the largest member of the ground squirrel family.

Physical Characteristics

It may surprise you to know that a groundhog can grow to 24 inches and weigh up to 13lbs. Like other squirrels, groundhogs have long tails that grow around 7 inches long. According to the National Wildlife Federation, during the warm months, a groundhog’s incisors grow about a sixteenth of an inch each week to keep up with their frenzied eating schedule.

Habitat, Hibernation, Conflict with Farmers

Also, according to the NWF groundhogs are found only in North America, from Canada down to the southern United States. They like woodland areas that bump up against more open areas. They dig burrows that can be 6 feet deep, and 20 feet wide. These underground homes can have two to a dozen entrances. All those entrances are why the groundhog is not a farmer’s best friend. The holes can break farm equipment or twist a leg. Worst of all, since groundhogs have a hefty appetite as they load up for winter hibernation, a farmer’s garden and crops make for an abundant (and tasty) food source. They can eat about a pound of food per sitting. While hibernating, the groundhog’s heartbeat slows from 80 beats per minute to 5 beat per minute; their respiration reduces from 16 breaths per minute to as few as 2 breaths per minute; and their body temperature drops from about 99 degrees Fahrenheit to as low as 37 degrees.

Groundhog Behavior & Capabilities

The NWF says groundhogs are solitary creatures, living about six to eight years. They eat vegetables and fruits, whistle when they’re frightened or looking for a mate (they’re sometimes called whistle pigs) and can climb trees and swim. In February, male groundhogs emerge from their burrows to look for a mate (not to predict the weather) before going underground again. They come out of hibernation for good in March.

Why is it Also Called a Woodchuck?

In Quiet Valley’s one room school “students” are required to do tongue twisters as part of their school day. One of them is, How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? According to Cornell University it would be about 700 lbs. Actually, the name woodchuck has nothing to do with wood, or chucking it, according to the Animal Diversity Web. The word woodchuck comes from a Native American word, wuchak, which roughly translates as “digger.” Nevertheless, according to Cornell, a wildlife biologist sought to answer the tongue-twister’s question. He measured the volume of a woodchuck burrow and estimated that if the hole were filled with wood rather than dirt, the woodchuck would have chucked about 700 lbs. (Woodchucks, however, typically do not chew wood.)

First Groundhog Day

According to History.com – On February 2, 1887, Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, was celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal–the hedgehog–as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State.

In 1887, a newspaper editor belonging to a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club declared that Phil, the Punxsutawney groundhog, was America’s only true weather-forecasting groundhog. The line of groundhogs that have since been known as Phil might be America’s most famous groundhogs, but other towns across North America now have their own weather-predicting rodents, from Birmingham Bill to Staten Island Chuck to Shubenacadie Sam in Canada.

That’s all for now. Thanks for checking in and here’s hoping the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow! My old bones would appreciate an early spring. Take care. Aunt Eunice

November, A Time for Thanks & Reflection with Loved Ones

Deb D (Aunt Eunice) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 16:55:00 +0000

A Chance to Reflect on the Good Things

Hello, Folks, Aunt Eunice here. Halfway through November means Thanksgiving is on the horizon. As I make plans for the holiday, I can’t help but take some time to think back over the past year. I look at the good, the bad and the ugly and then focus on the good. Some years, as you all know, can be harder than we’d like it to be. Health, wealth, family, a home, a job are some things that top the list. Being in a comfortable place spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically is quite a blessing. Thanksgiving is of course a time we give thanks for these blessings.

Modern History of the Celebration

Thanksgiving has been a traditional holiday in the U.S. for a while now. Check here for a timeline. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated on the final Thursday in November 1863. Since this date, Thanksgiving has been observed annually in the United States. In 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a law establishing the day of Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Dishes While Growing Up

A good deal of my joy in Thanksgiving stems from the fact that so many family members and friends are all under one roof. There is also all the delicious and traditional foods. Our dinner’s food selections have changed since my childhood. Turkey and mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, baked sweet potatoes with oranges, oyster stuffing (a must for my father) and my mother’s homemade cranberry relish. Some years there might also be Gwaltney ham and always home baked biscuits and pies. As we children got old enough to demand some changes, my cousin Paula’s cheese-ball became a regular appetizer. It of course became known as the Paula Ball. My Aunt Nell began bringing a yummy jello salad that we christened Nello salad. Obvious choice! I asked my mother to make stuffing without those yucky oysters and I began making cornbread with pepper-jack cheese in it. We also introduced green bean casserole to the menu. Old or new, nothing could beat my mother’s pecan pie, a favorite of most! Perfectly gooey with a flaky crust made with lard and a nice layer of whole pecans on top. Probably 500 calories in one small slice. Oh, well.

How Food Preferences Changed in Recent Times

Nowadays, new food choices have been added and they have become standards. Mashed turnips in addition to mashed potatoes are served at our house as that is traditional for my daughter-in-law and her brother. We also make a sweet potato casserole using a recipe from the mother-in-law of my oldest daughter which has become everyone’s favorite. We have a turkey that is brined, though not everyone is a fan. Green bean casserole is still retaining its place on the table. Some adjustments have been made to accommodate a number of food allergies and other dietary issues. Four lactose intolerant, three organic only, two gluten free, one diabetic, and a grandson allergic to non-tree nuts! Sound like a song? Hmmm.

Seeing the Change & Embracing It

The new foods joining into the holiday dinner mimic the blending of new with old taking place in the family tree. Parents, aunts, uncles moving on to that great feast in Heaven, children getting married, grandchildren being born, things changing is sometimes the only thing that stays the same. At least my mother’s pecan pie is still present on the Thanksgiving sideboard!

As this special holiday arrives, even if you are struggling to find something for which to be thankful, know you are being wished the very best. Happy Thanksgiving, folks!!

Take care, Aunt Eunice

Belsnickel: German Christmas Brings a Sidekick for Santa

Kat M — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 03:02:00 +0000

It is often said that the past is a foreign country and when we look back at it, we will find many strange and unusual customs and traditions. This is particularly true with historic celebrations of Christmas. Traditionally in Germany, a character called the Belsnickel would visit children alongside Saint Nicholas. Many cultures have an assistant accompany St. Nicholas/Santa Claus during his visits to punish the children who need to correct their behavior. Traditionally in Germany, St. Nicholas’ Day is December 6th. That is when St. Nicholas and the belsnickel would visit, for on Christmas Eve the Christ Child would bring presents.

The belsnickel is often clad in rags and patchwork, sometimes he blackens his face or wears a mask to appear more fearsome. He carries candy or treats for the obedient children along with switches or rods for those who have been misbehaving. Naughty children were also made to do a penance such as recite a Bible verse or poem for their transgressions. Generally the belsnickel was someone from the local community, usually an older man or a woman, who knew what the children had been up to during the year. I suspect it was somewhat of a social honor to portray the belsnickel. The person had to be trustworthy and able to properly gauge the punishment for the misbehavior. As the tradition of the belsnickel continued in Pennsylvania, the man was often rewarded with food for his social function. The person selected as the belsnickel may have been a community elder who may have needed some charity that time of year.

The belsnickel tradition was very popular during the 19th century. It even survived in places until the early 20th century but seems to have merged with Santa Claus as the years have gone by. Here at Quiet Valley, we keep the Belsnickel tradition alive during our Old Time Christmas celebration. Visitors come down into the cellar kitchen (this was originally the whole house built around 1770) where they meet Jacky Depper. This young boy welcomes the visitors and explains that they are now waiting for the Belsnickel who soon arrives amid much door-banging and bell-ringing. He goes about the room tapping naughty children with his bundle of sticks and rewarding the good children with candy. It is a sight to see. At Christmastime when you are looking for something fun to do, remember us and come see the Belsnickel.

The Quiet Valley blog is written by Kat Muller in her first year working at Quiet Valley. This blog post represents her last, new event for the year!

Christmas Cards: History & Tracing Origins to the 1800s

Kat M — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 02:43:00 +0000

For many people, myself included, December marks Christmas Card season when our post boxes contain little envelopes with updates from friends and family rather than bills and junk mail. Like many of our modern Christmas traditions, Christmas cards can be traced back to the mid-1800s.

With most historical events or occurrences, historians and archaeologists can only give an estimate or a window of time when something took place. Yet with Christmas cards, we have an exact year and even the people who came up with the first card. (Though I do imagine there is some nameless person who sent a Christmas greeting with some artwork.) In 1843, Henry Cole commissioned artist J. C. Horsley to produce the first Christmas Card. Cole had revolutionized the postal system in England; thus, perhaps, these first cards (more akin to post cards) were either a great marketing strategy for his mailing system or just a time-saving factor on Cole’s part. The first card was a three part picture with a family feasting in the middle and performing charitable acts on either side.

While it took a little while to catch on, Christmas cards became very popular during the late 1870s. Christmas cards were often produced by many small companies and newspapers often had fun reviewing them and proclaiming which had the nicest illustrations or sentiments.

Today, many of us would not necessarily agree with our Victorian counterparts. Many cards produced during this time period featured anthropomorphic animals, cherub faces poking out of flowers, dead animals, and the like. While these images and greetings seem odd to us today, they were meaningful to their intended audience. Christopher Davis in his blog Vaults of Thought, delves into the symbolism behind two noteworthy cards picturing a dead wren and another with a dying frog as his opponent flees the scene. Some cards, such as the dead wren, hearken back to older traditions such as the Hunting of the Wren. Young boys and men in Ireland would capture a wren and then beg from door to door asking for food or money for the “wren” (aka the boys). Heather Dale, a folk singer who tells tales of older traditions, has a little song about it. Victorian culture was also obsessed with death. There were rules regarding proper mourning patterns that could impact a family’s lives for years after their relative was deceased. I think some of that culture found its way into every aspect of their lives, even Christmas cards.

Allison Meier has an article here with lots of images of those traditional cards. Not all of them look very much like Christmas cards as they picture everything from owls on bicycles to cats with parasols. I personally was surprised with the cards containing sea shells. I suspect they could almost be holiday advertisements, sort of a “Merry Christmas from a great place to holiday.”

Christmas cards saw a revolution in 1915 when the book style cards were printed by the company that became Hallmark. Their cards contained an image on the front, a greeting, it was folded once, and inserted into an envelope. This soon outpaced the postcard style cards and are now standard. Many people liked the book style cards because they could write more but not a whole letter. Nowadays, Christmas cards can be pop up cards, light up, play music, and even record personalized greetings. Imagine Cole and Horsley’s surprise if they saw how far their little cards have gone.

The Quiet Valley Blog is written by Kat Muller during her first year at Quiet Valley as she learns about the farm, life in the 1800s, and the animals.

Christmas Superstitions of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Kat M — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 02:04:00 +0000

While it is only halfway through November we are starting to get things ready here on the farm for our last big event of the year-Old Time Christmas. This candlelit lantern tour explores the historic celebrations of Christmas during the 1800s, a live nativity, visits from the Belsnickel, and more. To help get ready for this event, I’ve been reading Christmas in Pennsylvania by Alfred L. Shoemaker. While a little heavy on primary sources for casual reading, it is a great source of information exploring early celebrations in Pennsylvania by those who did not observe Christmas such as the Puritans and Quakers, to those who certainly did such as the Lutherans and the Moravians. Working my way through one of the early chapters, I was struck by how much folklore and superstition revolved around Christmas time and I thought I would share some of my findings with you.

Many of the people who settled in this part of Pennsylvania came from the Palatinate region of Germany and believed very strongly in the supernatural power of the surrounding environment. They also believed they could influence it as well. In due time, this belief made its roots into America. Growing up in Chester County, Pennsylvania I remember hearing that animals could speak on Christmas night.

The idea of animals speaking is a common folk belief and most of these Pennsylvania Dutch supernatural occurrences are said to take place between 11pm and midnight. During this time not only do the animals talk, you can also see your future husband or wife, cut dowsing rods for water or iron, or cast silver bullets to kill your enemy. Make sure to mark your calendar and be awake at that time.

Some of my favorite Christmas superstitions involved predicting what the next year will bring. For example: many people believed that if the ground was white at Christmas it would be green at Easter. Or if the geese waddled in mud between Christmas and New Year they will do so every single month of the following year, (i.e. it will be a wet and rainy year). Perhaps the best superstition of all was that if you changed your underwear between Christmas and New Year’s you would get boils.

Quiet Valley Blog is written by Kat Muller as she explores her first year on the farm.

Apple Butter Preparation & Cooking a Community Affair

Kat M — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:14:11 +0000

One of our favorite fall activities here on the farm is making some of the best traditional food around. At Harvest Festival, along with the craft demonstrations and games, we prepare heritage recipes for friends and family alike. For this blog post, I am taking a closer look at the processes involved in some of these classic dishes.

Apple butter has everything to do with apples and nothing to do with butter at all. Apple butter is similar to apple sauce but it is cooked for a long time, usually with apple cider. The apples caramelize causing the final product to take on a dark brown color. It has a creamy texture reminiscent of butter or jam and is often eaten like them, spread over toasted bread.

At Quiet Valley, we work hard to make apple butter in a traditional manner. Days leading up to our Harvest Festival, we have an apple party. All the apple dishes for the whole event are prepared including apple butter and apple pies. The apples are peeled, cored, and cut into disks. We use a special copper lined pot to cook the apple butter. The day before we start making apple butter, we fill it about halfway with apple cider and start it boiling. Once it has reduced by about half, the cored apples are added until it’s full. All day, we keep the fire burning and stir the pot full of apples. Many visitors pitch in to help as well!

Historically, this tradition of coming together to create seasonal foods served as a great way to strengthen the community. It provided a great way to meet friends, find someone to marry, and even make business arrangements. After about 8 hours, the apple butter is ready for canning so that its deliciousness can be preserved. We sell these wonderful jars at Harvest Festival and if you are lucky enough, during Old Time Christmas too!

Food is important because it brings together a sense of community. Food builds connections across time, language barriers, and gender. Next time you pass a plate, think about passing it to someone completely new. We also make scrapple and sauerkraut too!

Widow’s Weeds: The Clothing Style of Surviving Spouses

Kat M — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 23:58:21 +0000

It’s great when visitors are interested enough in history to ask questions that lead to amazing discussions with interpreters. This summer, we’ve had a lot of great questions that have helped expand our understanding of life during the 1800s. This week’s question was about “Widow’s Weeds” during the mid-to-late 1800s.

“Widow’s Weeds” is an 18th century term for the black crepe fabric widows would often wear while mourning their loved ones. It comes from the Old English word “waed”, meaning “garment”. Prior to the Victorian period, it was considered customary to mourn lost loved ones but the Victorians took it to a whole other level. They developed and encouraged certain rules of behavior that were particularly focused on widows. It was customary for a widow to go into what was called full mourning for a year. During this time she was to wear a veil (the widow’s weeds) over her face, she was not permitted to attend social functions, or generally be seen out in public. Then, for another half-year up to a year she was in half-mourning and was permitted to attend some social occasions and could start adding more texture to her black wardrobe. During her last six months of mourning, the widow could start adding more color to her clothes including white, gray and light purples. The Met in New York had a great display about mourning fashion.

After her period of mourning ended, women were expected to remarry-particularly if they were young and had inherited money. A widow was somewhat socially dangerous; she no longer had a male protector (either father or husband) and as a widow could own property, this could give her a level of freedom unknown to her peers as she would be able to engage with men with a slightly more equal standing in society. A widow could gain some power without losing her reputation. This side was often seen in political cartoons through the 1800s.

Men had it a bit easier. If they were a ‘junior’, they couldn’t drop the junior from their name until their father was buried. Men’s mourning clothes were not that different from their regular daywear. A widower was generally expected to be in mourning for about 6 months to a year for his wife.

Mourning was very expensive. Like today’s wedding shops, the 19th century saw mourning parlors where people could go and buy anything they needed. Going into mourning could bankrupt a family. Oftentimes, frugal family members would just overdye their clothes to make them black. A method often used by individuals of limited disposable income was to wear a special armband. Nevertheless, proper society considered these socially inappropriate for anyone not in uniform.

World War I really saw the end of the strict Victorian standards. With so many people dying during the Great War, it was just impractical to keep the strict traditions. And the 1920s saw the transformation of the widow’s black dress into the little black dress. Today, while many people still wear black to funerals, it is not always necessary. It’s considered more appropriate for people to look well-appointed and to honor the memory of the person.

Now you know a little bit more about life during the 1800s. This blog is written by Katherine Muller, Executive Director of Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. It is intended to help visitors explore and learn about life on the farm throughout history and as Katherine explores and learns more about the farm too.

Easter, A Year of Pennsylvania German Holidays

Kat M — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 03:12:22 +0000

Easter is right around the corner. Most of our Easter celebration comes from the Germans and traveled overseas with them to America. The Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs, and Easter candy all have their roots in German traditions.

Like Santa Claus or the Christ Child, The Easter Bunny would traditionally come the night before the holiday to leave gifts of eggs, candy and perhaps toys for the good children. Traditionally, children would make a nest for the Oschter Haws or Osterhase (Easter Hare). In the morning, good children would find treats in their nest and bad children would be left with empty nests (or filled with rabbit droppings). This nesting tradition has now been supplanted by Easter baskets and the fresh eggs with those filled with candy.

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like chicken eggs have a lot to do with rabbits. But chickens and rabbits can actually co-habitat in the same enclosure. It’s pretty easy to imagine a young child going to feed the chickens and finding a rabbit resting on an egg and then their imagination abounds. During the spring, chickens begin laying more eggs; after laying hardly any eggs all winter – it’s a little overwhelming to find uses for them all. Oftentimes, mischievous farm boys would hide the eggs from their mother in the days leading up to Easter. Then the eggs would mysteriously appear Easter morning.

Perhaps the abundance of eggs in the spring led to the traditions of decorating them. Eggs can be simply dyed, intricately painted, caved or pierced, or a combination thereof. Perhaps some of the most famous decorated eggs are the Pysanky eggs done in Ukrainian. These eggs are dyed by applying multiple layers of wax to the surface of the eggs and dyed in a series of colored baths.

Scherenschnitte, German Folk Art of Intricate Paper Cutting

Kat M — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 02:50:27 +0000

One of the things I’ve always found interesting about the Pennsylvania Germans is their folk art such as hex signs on barns and frakturs. Scherenschnitte (pronounced something like Sharon-Sh-knit-a) is the German and Pennsylvania German tradition of cutting paper. Traditionally, these paper designs were done by folding the paper and cutting to make a continuous design similar to the childhood craft of creating paper snowflakes or paper dolls that hold hands.

In the beginning, scherenschnitte were often used as decorative pieces for birth certificates, love letters, and marriage certificates. These tended to incorporate flowers, birds, and hearts. Since paper was originally expensive, old letters or newspapers were often used. This offers some unique insight into the lives of the people who made them. During the Victorian Era, scherenschnitte was used to make shelf paper for cupboards, cake doilies, or table decor.

Scherenschnitte can also create a picture or tell a story. For the Germans, many of the picture cutouts were based on folk tales. These images usually featured people and activities, which shares a lot in common with the French tradition of silhouette cuts. Silhouettes, white images on black paper, were often inexpensive forms of art work. They were far less costly than paintings.

Today, scherenschnitte is still going strong and seems to have gained a following. With exacto-knives in their toolkit, artists are now able to accomplish very delicate and detailed work. They are only limited by the extent of their creativity.