File:Coast watch (1979) (20038956573).jpg

Title: Coast watch
Identifier: coastwatch00uncs_9 (find matches)
Year: 1979 (1970s)
Authors: UNC Sea Grant College Program
Subjects: Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology
Publisher: (Raleigh, N. C. : UNC Sea Grant College Program)
Contributing Library: State Library of North Carolina
Digitizing Sponsor: North Carolina Digital Heritage Center

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John Wright Stanly House says. "It's very simple, so it's surpris- ing to people. But there's an elegance in the simplicity, in the use of pure greenery. There aren't the extras that we're used to seeing. Just plain garlands of fresh greenery. And there is a lot of festive food in the house." Like those of the decade before, Christmases of the 1780s were marked by festive gatherings. "Nothing is now to be heard of in conversation but the Balls, the Fox-hunts, the fine entertain- ments and the good fellowship, which are to be exhibited at the approaching Christmas," a Virginia plantation tutor wrote at the time. The Stanlys probably offered their guests a cake like the one displayed in the house and baked from one of Martha Washington's recipes. And, since Christmas was a holy day, they may have attended services at Christ Church. Their six children, unlike modern children, did not expect gifts from Santa Claus. They might have instead received a book such as The Church Catechism Explain 'd. ♦ Dixon-Stevenson House (ca. 1828) In the restored Dixon-Stevenson House, the Christmas decor begins to resemble that of our day. Still, it is simple. The staircase is hung with skinny, hand-sewn stockings stuffed with treats of the early 1800s. The table is laden with a large bowl of "fish in jelly," a 19th-century dessert of white blancmange fish swimming in a blue gelatin sea. "By then, we start to see more emphasis on gift-giving," Hicks says. Children might have received small toys, cakes, nuts, fruit, candy or coins in their stockings. There was no Christmas tree yet, but Santa had arrived to American shores as a gift-bringer to youngsters. He was a fused creature — half St. Nicholas of Europe and half ancient yule god. Not until 1863 did he acquire his jolly elfish looks when Thomas Nast of Harper's Illustrated Weekly drew his image based on "The Visit of St. Nicholas" (better known as '"Twas the Night Before Christmas"). In an age of candlelight, the rounds of dinner parties and gatherings were made more festive with candles trimmed in real and artificial flowers. Early in the century, a woman wrote of her Virginia home, where "the house was illuminated by wax lights issuing from bouquets of magnolia leaves placed around the walls, near the ceiling and looking prettier than any glass chandelier." In keeping with that tradition, the transom windows over the doors in the Dixon-Stevenson House are decked out with candleholders and silk flowers. Chocolate, served mainly as a hot drink or garnish in the 18th century, began to appear as a main ingredient in cakes, candies and other desserts. The Dixons might also have purchased some of their baked goods from a local baker such as Francis Bangard, who adver- tised in 1836 that he had "constantly on hand the first quality of Loaf Bread, fresh Crackers and Cake of every kind." "That's interesting because many Continued COASTWATCH 5

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