The Heritage Centre announces December program lineup

This December, the Heritage Centre in Cayuga is hosting five events and an exhibition celebrating Christmas and featuring the history of board games.

The cost for each regular program is $10 per person and the cost for afternoon tea is $15 per person. Pre-registration is required for all programs. Register online or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 (6 p.m.) – Early Settlers Christmas
This talk will examine early Christmas celebrations for settlers arriving in Upper Canada between the late 1700s to the mid-1800s.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 (1 p.m.) – Christmas Customs and Traditions
Featuring  Christmas customs and traditions during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, this presentation will highlight the history of many traditions still familiar today.

Saturday, Dec. 10 (12:30 p.m.) – Christmas in the 1950s
This talk looks at Christmas in the 1950s when aluminum Christmas trees and bubble lights were all the rage while hula hoops, Barbie dolls and Matchbox cars were found under the tree on Christmas morning.

Tuesday, Dec. 13 (6 p.m.) – Christmas Around the World
A talk featuring Christmas celebrations around the world and how our early ancestors brought their traditions with them when they immigrated to Canada. Many of the traditions and celebrations we enjoy in Canada come from French, English, Irish, Scottish, German, Norwegian and Ukrainian influences.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 (1 p.m.) – Tea and Presentation: Mail Order Christmas
This program features afternoon tea followed by a talk on the history of the mail-order catalogue; attendees can discover how, in the late 19th century, large department stores introduced mail-order operations to extend their markets beyond their stores and into smaller cities and rural areas and how this trend changed the shopping habits of Canadians.

All programs take place at the Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre, located at 19 Talbot Street West. For more information, contact the Heritage Centre at (905) 318-5932, ext. 6613 or email museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.