Dec 22, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)

In the Victorian era, the children's nursery was, in wealthier households, an entirely separate domain. Children were tended by nannies and educated by a governess. With lessons done and baths taken, they were presented to their parents in the best possible light… but weren't likely to remain in their company for long. For those who had left the European continent and forged a path westward, settling in Canada or the lower American states, the nursery was a luxury ill-afforded. Children were raised strong and engaged in whatever ways they could be helpful. For families struggling to accomplish the many tasks that needed doing in a given day, the help of children was valued.

But at Christmastime, the children were elevated to a position of higher pleasure. Christmas is, after all, especially for the children. And in Greenwood, like everywhere else, much effort was made to keep the season cheery and bright for the little ones.

Toys of the season were not much different in Canada than in the nurseries of Victorian England. While Santa was known in England as Father Christmas, he delivered the same sorts of toys, books and sweets to one and all.

Educational toys were population: one might receive an abacus made of beads on a wooden frame, or a sampler of letters and numbers that would teach, and also help girls to improve their embroidery skills. Pictures books, explorer maps and telescopes were given, along with replicas of the tools men used each day— small axes and shovels, guns and bow & arrows, and miniature garden ploughs.

On the lighter side there were model trains and clockwork soldiers, porcelain dolls and stuffed bears with ribbons round their neck. Girls might receive a painting set, music book, fan or hairbrush.

Wonderful presents like these could be purchased by parents in Greenwood and the surrounding mining camps, as we see in this advertisement from the Boundary Creek Times, December 17, 1898:

The Greenwood community organized various events for the children. An announcement in the December 12, 1896 edition of the newspaper promised:

"Hard times or otherwise, the children in the district will have at least one happy evening this Christmas; over $60 has been subscribed at Midway, and as much more at Greenwood and Anaconda, for their benefit. … A Christmas tree to be followed by a programme of songs and recitations will be provided for the children here on Christmas day."

The following year a similar program was arranged, described in the December 25th edition of the Times:

"Christmas Tree. The children of Greenwood and Anaconda received presents from Santa Claus in Rendell & Co's. hall on Christmas eve. Santa Claus had very little to do, the presents being provided by a committee of ladies who collected a large sum of money for presents for the Christmas tree. A musical and literary entertainment was provided by the children."

REFERENCES:

Boundary Creek Times: December 12, 1896; December 25, 1897; December 17, 1898