THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 29, 1995 TAG: 9511280129
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Coastal Journal
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
As the new manager of the Adam Thoroughgood House, Roberta Whisman wants to meet you, a whole lot of you, at Thoroughgood House's traditional yule log ceremony Sunday.
For the first time, the ceremony will take place outside and the yule log will burn in a big bonfire. That way a throng can gather around and toast the holiday season.
In years past, the log was carried into the Thoroughgood House parlor fireplace. Since the historic 17th century house can only accommodate a few people, the yule log ceremony was very crowded, Whisman explained. Some years 100 or more folks would squeeze into the little house for the ceremony.
``In past years, people couldn't see,'' she said.
In the 17th century, the yule log was carried into the house on Christmas Eve. The fire was lit and was not allowed to go out until Twelfth Night or Jan. 6 to ensure good luck for the coming year.
Since Thoroughgood House has already broken tradition by lighting the log early to usher in the Christmas season, Whisman doesn't mind going a step further and holding the event outside. Participants also will be given a small cup of wassail for toasting, something that wasn't allowed inside the historic house.
So join the fun at 5 p.m. Sunday out on the Thoroughgood House lawn. Following the ceremony, house tours focusing on other 17th century holiday traditions will begin and continue until 8 p.m. Admission is free.
``It's our gift back to the community,'' Whisman said.
Even though the house is owned by the city of Norfolk and administered by the Chrysler Museum, it is located in the Thoroughgood neighborhood. Thoroughgood residents, especially, always have been supportive of their resident historic house, Whisman explained.
Whisman, who also is in charge of adult programming at all three of Norfolk's historic houses, took over at Thoroughgood House in September. And this year, you will also notice her hand in a few other subtle changes in the yule log ceremony.
``We hope to have more focus on the season of Christmas rather than on the ceremony itself,'' she said.
So after toasting the yule log, visitors will be invited to tour the Thoroughgood house in small groups to learn more about other 17th century holiday traditions. Interpreters in 17th century dress will light their candles at the bonfire and lead a group to the house for the first tour.
The house will be decorated with greens in 1600s holiday style. Candles will be lit and the fire also will be burning in the fireplace. Live 17th century music also will be part of the mood-setting scene.
A living history performer will portray the master of the house and discuss 17th century seasonal traditions. For example, every visitor will be given a piece of holly to toss in the fire.
``You make a wish and throw the holly in the fire and get good luck through the year,'' Whisman said.
Some guests also will be given 17th century wishes, written on pieces of paper. Whisman wants to point out the differences between 17th and 20th century wishes.
``Today most people would wish for a new car or a new house. In the 17th century, they would wish for a good harvest or good health,'' she said. ``Their wishes were more toward survival.''
In the kitchen, visitors will learn about foods of the season, from wassail punch to a boar's head. They'll also hear how early colonists preserved their food for winter.
``It was a time period when they really had to worry about food yet they would use a lot of what they had preserved to celebrate the season,'' Whisman said.
Upon leaving the house, visitors will be treated to another cup of wassail and ginger cakes, which will come from Colonial Williamsburg. They can stand around the bonfire and listen to volunteer Ed Douglas play the recorder.
``So wear warm clothes,'' Whisman said, ``and pray for good weather.''
P.S. HISTORY BUFFS, you have a busy weekend in store at several open houses. Historic Lynnhaven House is holding a Colonial Christmas celebration from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 9.
FRANCIS LAND HOUSE is holding its Plantation Christmas open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
AN EVENING TROLLEY TOUR will leave the Land house at 4 p.m. to visit Lynnhaven House, Upper Wolfsnare Plantation and Adam Thoroughgood House. The trolley will come back to the Francis Land house for refreshments and entertainment. The trolley tour is $15. Call 431-4000 for reservations.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, the Life-Saving Museum of Virginia will hold its holiday open house and gift shop sale from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. MEMO: What unusual nature have you seen this week? And what do you know about
Tidewater traditions and lore? Call me on INFOLINE, 640-5555. Enter
category 2290. Or, send a computer message to my Internet address:
mbarrow(AT)infi.net.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY REID BARROW
Roberta Whisman, new manager of the Adam Thoroughgood House, says
that in the 17th century the yule log was carried into the house on
Christmas Eve.
by CNB