Season Two - E. 7 - Christmas 1812

We were most fortunate to have as our guests, Peter Martin and Elizabeth Leblanc of Parks Niagara/Fort George to celebrate Christmas at the Fort, 1812 with us.

Even better, both wore period costume and brought along some articles for Mary, Jacquie and I as well. 

While we discussed what life would have likely been like at the Fort during Christmas, Elizabeth set us to work on a home made decoration that was popular at the time:  a Pomander made with an orange and cloves. While oranges were a treat and may not have been available to everyone, apples could easily be substituted. 

As we worked diligently setting whole cloves in an attractive pattern into our respective oranges, Peter read to us from actual letters from Fort George written by officers and enlisted men that described Christmas for them. 

If you were an officer, things were considerably better.  You might relax a bit, enjoy a feast for dinner, perhaps music and dance in the evening.  The enlisted did not have it so good.  Christmas day was much like any other for them, although they would likely have had some sort of "treat" at dinner.  
Thank you to Peter and Elizabeth for sharing their knowledge with us and making our first Christmas episode a memorable one. 

For more information contact:   http://www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca/