Christmas on the Farm brings Christmas Past to Christmas Present

Kitchen helper Julie rolls a pie crust in the pantry. Photo credit Patrice Johnson

revised 12/13/2018

by Patrice Johnson

Rain pattered onto barn roofs and then snow dusted the bakehouse during the Waterloo Area Historical Society’s annual Christmas on the Farm, Dec. 1 and 2. But neither rain nor snow deterred hearty visitors from traveling to the Waterloo Farm Museum in order to step back in time to an 1890s Christmas.

On the walk past log outbuildings, guests were likely to pass Ron Kaiser preparing kerosene lanterns in order to keep the lights on.

Just past the windmill, visitors entered the Realy farmhouse. Here, Amanda Craig greeted them in an entry room featuring a hand-loomed rag rug and an antique pump organ. Veronica Zick took a seat at the pipe organ, and music filled the home. Meanwhiile, teacher Cindy Maxwell revealed the secrets of making bobbin lace to Samantha Huber, or Huber read “The Night Before Christmas”–a good fit for this volunteer who in the 21st century works in the Stockbridge Capital Area District Library. Jenny Smith welcomed guests to a table in the dining room set with home-baked goods.

On entering the pantry, little helper Julie demonstrated how to roll a pie crust. Upstairs, young volunteer Emma told tales of gravity-fed heat to the children’s room. Before exiting, guests stopped to purchase treats from Linda Risner, who graciously manned the checkout.

Amanda Craig greets visitors in the parlor. Photo credit Patrice Johnson

Jenny Smith welcomes guests with home-baked goods in the dining room. Photo credit James Clark-Swalla, DigitalCrumbs Photography

Linda Risner mans the checkout in the Realy farmhouse. Photo credit James Clark-Swalla, DigitalCrumbs Photography

Teacher Cindy Maxwell and shows Samantha Huber the secrets of making bobbin lace. Photo credit Patrice Johnson

Sam Huber reads reads “The Night Before Christmas” in the farmhouse entry–a good fit for this volunteer who in the 21st century works in the Stockbridge Capital Area District Library. Photo credit James Clark-Swalla, DigitalCrumbs Photography

Jim Johnson selects tasty baked goods with Linda Risner manning checkout at the Realy farmhouse. Photo credit Patrice Johnson

The gift house is fully stocked with treasures to take home. Photo credit James Clark-Swalla, DigitalCrumbs Photography

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Young volunteer Emma tells about the children’s room. Photo credit Jenny Smith

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Photo credit James Clark-Swalla

Veronica Zick takes a seat at the pump organ. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Music fills the room as Veronica plays the pump organ. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Ron Kaiser prepares lanterns, in order to keep the lights on for arriving guests. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Aviva Nobel greets guests, Photo credit Jenny Smith.

A volunteer weaves a rag rug. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Santa prepares for Christmas. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Bloodsworth and Kerr toymakers display their wares in the wreath-adorned cabin. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

A beginner’s lace tatting demonstration. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Paper decorations adorn windows. Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Ornaments add to the magic of the gift shop, Photo credit Jenny Smith.

Snow dusts the bakehouse. Photo credit Jenny Smith

Lace bobbins in neat rows. Photo credit Jenny Smith.