With the holiday season in full swing, families and fun-seekers flocked to Schenectady on Saturday, Dec. 8, for two events with international flavor. The Schenectady County Historical Society hosted its St. Nicholas Festival, a celebration of a traditional Dutch Christmas, while the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium hosted A Polish Christmas, part of its multicultural Festival of Holidays program.

The historical society is located in the heart of Schenectady’s Stockade district on Washington Avenue, where Dutch and Colonial houses date from the 18th and 19th centuries.

For Kate Weller, curator of the historical society’s museum, a St. Nicholas festival was both an observance of Schenectady’s Dutch heritage and a way for people to begin understanding the myth of the modern Santa Claus.
“Schenectady was settled by the Dutch in 1669 and revitalized in the 19th Century” said Weller. Along with other traditions, the Dutch settlers brought the festival of St. Nicholas, championing a particularly generous patron saint that bestowed gifts upon the poor.

“Much of the image of the American Santa Claus is inspired by the memory of St. Nicholas,” said Weller.

Santa can also trace his roots to New York state. Clement T. Moore first published his most famous poem about a jolly, overweight gift-giver, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a Troy, N.Y. newspaper under the title “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” And, according to Weller, Washington Irving’s “Father Knickerbocker Tales” lent elfish characteristics to St. Nick, aiding in the establishment of the now universal portrait of a red-nosed Santa with pointy, belled shoes.   

St. Nicholas was on hand at the historical society Sunday, with his traditional staff and hat. The red robe, though, made him look like a close cousin of the Santa seen in store windows throughout America this time of year.

Festivalgoers enjoyed refreshments and holiday music provided by Sylvie Briber, Vesta Sager and Donna Allard. The historical society also showcased a number of holiday trees decorated by community members and local businesses as part of their “Festival of Trees” fundraiser in association with the Schenectady YWCA. A number of the trees were raffle prizes at the event while others, like Nancy Edwards’ tree, will remain on display throughout the month.

“My husband and I decided that since the kids are all grown up that we would share our Christmas tree with the community this year,” said Edwards, who lives in Schenectady. “Our theme was ‘The Bountiful Tree’ so we loaded it with a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables in a traditional style.”

To see the Edwards family tree, visit the Schenectady County Historical Society at 32 Washington Ave., Schenectady, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday.

A Polish Christmas and a starry night

Across town, the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium, held a Polish Christmas, part of the Festival of Holidays, which honors the holiday traditions of Schenectady’s diverse community.

The event featured Polish folk tales, a description of Christmas customs, decorations and food. In Poland, families break Oplatek, or wafers, on Christmas Eve, a night they call Wigilia. Family members exchange good wishes to each other as they share the sacred wafers. A feast is also held during Wigilia.

The St. Adalbert’s Dancers, a performing youth group from St. Adalbert’s Roman Catholic Church in Schenectady, exhibited the traditional Polonaise and a polka in front of a capacity crowd. They also sang a selection of Polish Christmas carols, or koledy.

Those in attendance also took advantage of other ongoing exhibits at the museum this holiday season. Children and adults alike gathered around the large model train display by the Upstate Train Association. Others took their seats in the planetarium for the annual “’Tis the Season” holiday show. The show, which runs through Tuesday through Sunday at 2 p.m. until Jan. 6, traces the history and development of holiday customs and cultural celebrations and focuses on the importance of the sky and stars in traditions ranging from the American Indians in the Southwest to Christians, who are taught that a bright star marked the birth of Jesus Christ. A live presentation about the winter night sky follows the program.

“This is a feel good, non-scientific program,” said Steven Russo, planetarium manager. “It appeals to all audiences and all ages — everyone likes it.”

Polish Christmas is one of several multicultural celebrations at the museum this month. On Saturday, Dec. 1, the museum held its Diwali celebration, which featured singing, dancing and the sharing of Hindu customs. And, on Sunday, Dec. 9, the museum, in association with the Schenectady Jewish Community Center celebrated Hanukkah through storytelling and music.

The final event of the festival will be a celebration of Korean culture on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with members of the Korean Presbyterian Church of Albany. Model trains will also be on display.
The Schenectady Museum’s “Festival of Holidays” is sponsored in part by a grant by the Schenectady County Legislature through its County Initiative Program.
You can contact marvinr@spotlightnews.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below. Comments powered by Disqus

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