Medina County Historical Society hosts a Civil War Christmas

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Medina County Historical Society hosts a Civil War Christmas

Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 12:45 PM Updated: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 12:49 PM

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By Tara Quinn, Sun News
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Enlarge Christina Tesar, Sun News Post-Civil War historian and lecturer Michael G. Kovacevich speaks to guests of Sunday’s Civil War Christmas event about President Abraham Lincoln, Senator Andrew Johnson, the deaths of Civil War soldiers and the start of sterilization during the war. (Christina Tesar/Special to Sun News) civil war christmas gallery (5 photos)
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The Christmas season isn’t just about red and green this year. At the John Smart House Museum in Medina, there’s plenty of blue and gray as well.
The Medina County Historical Society is hosting a Civil War Christmas at the John Smart House, its headquarters and museum, 306 N. Elmwood Street, through Dec. 9.
“For a number of years we were doing a Victorian Christmas because this is a Victorian-era house,” said Joann King, president of the historical society. “We had a few Civil War pieces out and people were really looking at those. It’s the 150th anniversary of the second year of the Civil War. We did research on local figures that served in the Civil War. It grew from there.
“The theme and decorations are Civil War era,” King said. “The historical figures are being portrayed by the Medina Showbiz Company. Each day we’ll have a re-enactor and a living history character.”
Among those being resurrected are President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. They will be having tea in the front parlor with H.G. Blake and his wife Elizabeth. Other characters include a little drummer boy and Santa Claus, as depicted by Thomas Nast. Dressed in historic garb, they explain what life was like during the era.
Evelyn Adzema of Valley City taught the guests about fashion and clothing during the Civil War.
“You have a petticoat that you wore over the caged hoop,” she said. “At the beginning of the war, the hoops were very wide. They wore their bodices very tight.”
Michael Kovacevich of Akron works as a historian lecturer. He explained hygiene and health to the guests. He told them there were twice as many deaths from infection in the Civil War than battle wounds. He spoke about the history of the war as well.
“They did not understand at the time the spread of infection and germs,” he said. “Lincoln was a very astute politician . . . we needed someone like that.”
In addition to the presentations, there are Antietam artifacts on display from the Rees collection.
“We have 10 table-top trees for sale,” said King. “The first time Christmas Trees came into the house was during the Civil War. They would have little gifts on them along with fruit, berries, nuts. They’re decorated by local designers and sponsored by members and local businesses.”
All the money from the tour and trees goes towards maintaining the collection at the John Smart House. Tickets are $5 for those 5 years old and older. The event takes place from 1-6 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9. For more information, call 330-722-1341.
Jennifer Karpus contributed to this story.

http://www.cleveland.com/medina/index.ssf/2012/11/medina_county_historical_socie_2.html
 
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