Christmas at the Museum

In December the Tehachapi Heritage League's Errea House Museum will feature "Christmas Around the World." Each year the museum plans to feature Christmas customs and traditional foods from countries around the globe. This year our neighbors, Canada and Mexico, will be highlighted. Canada is a large country with a population representing many different cultural backgrounds. Because of this, there are lots of different Christmas traditions in Canada. Many of the traditions and celebrations come from the French, English, Irish, Scottish, German and native/first nation influences. In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from early December to Jan. 6, with a related event on Feb. 2. During this entire time, nativity scenes, poinsettias and Christmas trees are displayed. The season begins with celebrations related to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico, followed by traditions such as Las Posadas and pastorelas.

The Museum has a small booklet for a $3.00 purchase which includes information about Christmas customs found in both Canada and Mexico along with recipes. Christmas decorations will be available for sale along with Christmas trees decorated with Canadian and Mexican themes. These trees are available as silent auction items. An additional tree decorated with a Tehachapi apple theme is also a silent auction item. The silent auction will end at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 so the highest bidder can use their tree for this year's Christmas celebration.

In the museum gift shop are items that will make great Christmas gifts. There are historical folk toys, hand and finger puppets, and stuffed toys that will make wonderful gifts for children. We now carry jams from Sisters of the Norbetine. Also for adults there is a nice selection of books about local history. And of course, we have hammered aluminum items that always make great gifts.

At the Tehachapi Museum the Community Case will feature a display of nativities created by local residents. One nativity was made by Al Romano when he served in the army. Another nativity belongs to Del Troy.

The Textile Gallery features a collection of small bottles that belonged to Leatta "Tootie" Anderson. She and her husband, Lester "Hooks" Anderson, traveled extensively on the eastern side of the Sierras in California, Utah, and Nevada, collecting bottles. The smaller bottles had a better chance of surviving intact. Tootie searched through junk and antique stores becoming familiar with the owners. They would contact her when they came across a bottle she might be interested in. Tootie was good friends with Herb and Ola Mae Force, long time Tehachapi residents and historians. Some of these small bottles were a gift to Tootie by her dear friends, Herb and Ola Mae. Tootie was a descendant of the Cuddebacks, early Tehachapi pioneers. She resided in Tehachapi from the early 1930s to her death in 2010.

Also found in the Textile Gallery there is an exhibit of evening handbags, and fall and winter hats and clothing. New in the main gallery the Community Case will feature a display of nativities collected by local residents. The Family case features an exhibit about community volunteer Del Troy.

The Tehachapi Museum is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. The Museum is at 310 South Green Street and the Errea House Museum is across the street at 311South Green Street. For more information, call the museum at 822-8152.