Christmas 100 years ago

Here are a couple of stories from Revelstoke Mail-Herald issues from December 1909.

December 15, 1909:
"Mrs. T. Kilpatrick, President of the Revelstoke branch of the BC Anti-Tuberculosis Society, just received usual supply of 2000 Christmas and New Year stamps issued by the Society. Sales will support indigent patients at Tranquille Sanitorium, Kamloops. Price is one cent per stamp. The idea originated, under royal patronage, and was developed by the National Red Cross Society during the Boer War. “It is felt that it will give pleasure to many when sending Christmas greetings to friends, to feel that they are at the same time contributing in a small way to a national cause.” Stamps available for sale in the drug stores and post office. “If the public as a whole buy these stamps, and attach them to their Christmas parcels, the idea of this, the chief festive season of the year, of good will, of charity and brotherly love, will be made doubly strong, and by giving pleasure to a friend, a great cause will be held and valuable lives saved that must otherwise be lost to the province."

I found it interesting that Christmas Seals had originated during the Boer War!

December 29, 1909:
"Christmas at the Edison: Management of Edison Parlor Theatre reports large houses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and excellent programmes were provided on each occasion. The S.R.O. sign was conspicuous on Christmas night and the matinee that day was well attended. The picture illustrating whale fishing was particularly good and instructive, and the scenes in the Civil War of America showing “Brother against Brother” were stirring and realistic. Several high class comedies made up a good programme."

Didn't those people have Christmas dinners to go to?

However you are spending your holiday time, we at Revelstoke Museum and Archives hope that is a happy one for you. We wish all of you the very best for the coming year.