Throughout this Deck the Alley series we have not only brought you videos, but we have also asked our leadership team to introduce the content and share a bit about their involvement with the Alley. Today, we hear from Darren Weinhold, one of our board members.
With the colder weather, significant snowfall, and the official start of winter, it is easier for me to begin to feel the excitement of the holidays despite the difficulties that 2020 have brought. Normally this holiday excitement would mean looking forward to celebrating with friends and relatives through the sharing of traditions. As a child, what I looked forward to most was decorating gingerbread houses. My mother baked and assembled ten to twelve gingerbread houses for my family and friends to deck with candies, adding PEZ brick chimneys, vanilla wafer cars with Reese’s peanut butter cup wheels, or other imaginative features.
As an adult, I continued this tradition and took on the responsibility of baking the gingerbread and assembling the houses. Traditions such as these are such an integral part of the season. As part of continuation of the tradition of Deck the Alley, our gift is a special edition of our Alley Cast podcast. In this episode we look at the traditions of the holiday season on Elfreth’s and their evolution.
We hope you enjoy this special installment. Integral to the Alley Cast series and at the heart of Elfreth’s mission is historical research. Our archives are a treasure trove of photos, drawings, family trees, and other items that trace the rich history of the Alley. It is the history of Elfreth’s that draws me in. The Alley can feel frozen in time and offers a glimpse into a vastly different time in Philadelphia. We can feel connected to its residents though that faced similar challenges to those we face now.
This year we have explored new ways to share the history of the Alley and its residents. We need your help to continue our stewardship and research as we tell the stories of the people that have called the Alley home. Please consider making a donation or becoming a supporter on Patreon.
Happy holidays,
Darren Weinhold
A full transcript and list of sources is available here.
Donate Today!
So many stories remain to be discovered and told about Elfreth's Alley: about its residents, the buildings, and the neighborhood that has remained for over three centuries. Please donate today to help support the Elfreth's Alley Association and the work we do.
In Case You Missed It
Last week we brought you a documentary short on the history of the Christmas tree in Philadelphia, which ties in neatly with the podcast episode today. Watch it on our YouTube page!
Want to Hear More?
If this episode of The Alley Cast piqued your interest, you can find the full first season of the podcast on our website! Episodes feature stories of dressmakers, preservationists, and a religious prophet who challenged 18th century gender roles.
Join our Patreon
Backers at our Alley Supporter level ($10/month) received patterns and instructions for a gingerbread house in the shape of our museum this month! Previous exclusives have included a live virtual lecture, and an essay on fire insurance as a historical source!