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Many Christmas traditions practiced today began in the Victorian era, which spanned the years 1837 through 1901. As a Victorian home, Glanmore is decorated to show the most decadent of these traditions.
Glanmore was built in 1882-83 for John Philpot Curran Phillips and his wife Harriet. John was born in London, Ontario and moved to Belleville in 1860, where he was employed by the Bank of Montreal. In 1863 John married Harriet Ann Dougall, the daughter of a local judge. The land on which Glanmore sits was inherited by Harriet in 1878 from the estate of her grandfather.
Considering their place in Belleville society, we can assume that the Phillips would have entertained guests over the holiday season and that their home would have reflected the most beautiful of seasonal decor!
While we do not have photographs of the Phillips celebrating Christmas here, we have studied photographs and illustrations from 19th century Christmases, and have made decorating choices based on this research. Family letters have given us a few hints as well! Evergreen garlands and trees, holly, mistletoe, and red ribbons all featured prominently during this time. By the 1890s, poinsettias were added to the list, when Canadians started importing them from Mexico.
Enjoy this journey through Christmas Past!
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