THS December 2026 Calendar Fun Facts

DECEMBER

Moon when Wolves Run Together  (Lakota Sioux)

Welcome to the December  QR pages!  The theme for December is a Victorian Christmas at the Reed House and Wassail.

About the calendar photo: Visitors to the Annual Reed House ‘Holiday Open House’ 

About the historic Reed Homestead and the Reed Family –     THS Reed Homestead

The Townsend Historical Society Vault contains a great deal of information about the Reed Family.

December Trivia Question: What was different about Christmas celebrations in early Massachusetts?

About Victorian Christmas: Many traditions eventually came across “The Pond” from England and other European countries. Here is some history:

A Victorian Christmas in England                    THE VICTORIANS AT CHRISTMAS | Ashmolean Museum

Charles Dickens and Christmas        Christmas in America in the 19th Century   The Evolution of Christmas in America

Hot Wassail: A recipe from John Barrett is on the December calendar page.        About Wassail: Wassail history

Here is another recipe, too! (no alcohol)   From ‘Country Christmas Cookbook’:

1 gal. apple cider,  1t ground nutmeg,   1c brown sugar,   1T whole cloves,  a pinch of allspice

1 6oz can lemonade concentrate, 1 6oz can orange juice concentrate

Combine ingredients and simmer 20 minutes: serve

Visitors to the Open House also enjoyed cookies from the oven, baked goods, Brown Bread and tours of the House.  A very enjoyable Open House for all and thanks to all who worked so hard to make it such a success!

Battles of the Revolutionary War:  Ambush of Geary: (B)  Ambush of Geary The loss of Fort Lee

Battle of Iron Works Hill: (B)  Battlefields – Iron Works Hill         Wikipedia on Battle of Iron Works Hill

Battle of Trenton:  (A)     Battle of Trenton   More on Battle of Trenton

Grievances: 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.