November 13, 2017 – On Saturday, November 25, the Yuba Feather Historical Association presents its annual Hometown Christmas. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. There is no better way to kick-off the holiday season than to join in the old-time celebration at Gold Trader Flat in Forbestown, CA. Come rain or shine, the twinkling streets of this gold rush town will set your spirits aglow.
Each year at Hometown Christmas, we revive the Victorian Tea Room of yesteryear in our own Liberty Hotel – which represents a first-class establishment of the Gold Rush Era. From the mid-19th century, tea rooms have provided a place for refined social interaction – an alternative to saloons and bars. Not surprisingly, this trend was strongly supported by Temperance advocates. Tea rooms became especially popular during the Victorian Era as places where ladies could gather socially to enjoy food and drink without male escorts at no risk to their reputations. Although associated with gentility, tea rooms catered to all social classes. Most fine hotels in England and the United States featured tea rooms by the 1880s. Tea rooms played a strong role in the politics of their time. The Suffragette movement used them as safe locations for women to meet and discuss controversial issues, develop leadership and strategize on political actions.
This year our Victorian Tea Room will include traditional wassail on its menu in addition to piping hot tea, coffee, cocoa and cookies. The word “wassail” is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon greeting which means “Health be with you.” The Yuletide wassail is a hot, mulled punch based on apple cider and spices. You’ll want to come and enjoy its delicious fragrance and taste.
Gold Trader Flat, a replica of a 19th-century village constructed by devoted volunteers, is an ongoing exhibit of the Yuba Feather Historical Association. It was built and is maintained by local volunteers devoted to preserving the history of our local region and the Gold Rush era.
At Hometown Christmas the streets of the village turn into a seasonal street fair with unique, handmade delights for all ages. Come and get a jump on your holiday shopping in a delightful mountain atmosphere. Local artisans of all kinds will be displaying their unique artisanal and vintage products including hand-crafted apparel and household accessories, woodworking items, original artwork, organic soaps, specialty mustards and preserves, and a variety of other gift ideas. The Mercantile is stocked with old-time merchandise that makes shopping fun for children and their folks. Fresh, decorated Christmas wreaths are available from the local scout troop for your own at-home Christmas celebration.
There is nothing like the mountain air on a brisk winter day to stimulate one’s appetite. The smells of hamburger, hot dogs, and other hearty fare will lead you to the Gold Trader Flat Pantry. Nearby on the Main Street arcade, a wonderful array of homemade baked goods will be on sale to relieve your own holiday work load.
Strolling the streets of Gold Trader Flat, you’ll see many volunteers in vintage dress and the kids will be delighted with the miniature burros and other animals at the livery stable manger. As afternoon rolls around, watch for the visit of Father Christmas with candy canes for the kids and join the strolling carolers in songs of the season. There will be live entertainment throughout the day including a wandering troubadour, the old-time duo Plinky and Plunky, readings of holiday classics and folklore, and traditional choir music.
Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. It could be snowing or unseasonably warm. Forbestown enjoys a mountain climate and the nights are chilly once the sun goes down. Please note that your safety is paramount, so if the weather is too harsh, we may cancel or end the event early.
Admission and parking is free. Donations and proceeds go towards helping support the Museum and Gold Trader Flat interpretive village both of which are supported entirely through private memberships and donations and maintained by volunteers for the benefit of the community. The Yuba Feather Historical Association is a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3).
Victorian Tea Room At Yuba Feather Museum Hometown Christmas
Saturday, November 25, 2017
10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
19096 New York Flat Road, Forbestown, California