The Whitall house at Red Bank Battlefield all lit up and ready for the candlelight tour. (Photo/Mazza)
On December 9 and 10, 2016, Red Bank Battlefield held their annual candlelight tour in the Whitall house. The Whitall house is only open in the spring and summer time so for it to be open during the close season was really special. On Friday December 9, 2016 the tour was available from six to nine at night, while on Saturday, December 10, 2016, it was open from three to nine. Tourists received a very special tour just in time for Christmas as the house was decorated with candles, lights, wreaths, and of course Christmas trees. It was very beautiful seeing each room decorated for Christmas. Apparently the Whitall’s were Quakers so they actually did not decorate their house at all for Christmas or even celebrate Christmas. The Quaker faith is based on “pacifism, social equality, integrity, and simplicity,” which is why the Whitall’s did not decorate or celebrate Christmas. I interviewed an volunteer at the Whitall house, Teresa Haroian (via email) about what is something that not many people understand about the Whitall house or the candlelight tour. She replied, “People don’t know that the Quakers didn’t celebrate Christmas at all, so none of this is really authentic, and the house wouldn’t have been decorated. Also that all of the work is done by volunteers who give of their time and effort without pay (or thanks, in most cases) to make the house what it is at Christmastime.” The fact that the Quakers did not celebrate Christmas was a reoccurring theme that a lot of the tour guides said throughout the whole tour. It seems like at lot of people did not understand the Quaker faith and their simple way of life. However, the tour was like “if it was Christmas time during the Colonial period, this is how it would look like.” Honestly, the rooms were very beautiful and breathtaking, so it was definitely worth going. I was able to interview Karen Heller (via email), a volunteer at the Whitall house and a former American History teacher for 18 years what she thinks about the candlelight tour at the Whitall house. She states, “I heard many people say it is the annual start of their holiday season. It is a lovely tradition for many people.” Teresa Haroian, another volunteer at the Whitall house said, “My favorite part of the candlelight tour is the ambiance of seeing the house decorated – it’s very charming, no matter how it’s done, and puts us in the holiday spirit.” Going to the candlelight tour would definitely be a great start for the Christmas season. I always love going there and it definitely brought the Christmas mood, as the tour was very relaxing, peaceful, and of course cold. This is also a tradition for me and some of my family members. We always try to go on one of the days they do the candlelight tour.
While waiting outside in the freezing cold, one of the volunteers dressed up as a Colonial soldier. He explained about the musket and bayonet that was used during the Revolutionary War. According to the National Park Service, “The flintlock musket was the most important weapon of the Revolutionary War. It represented the most advanced technological weapon of the 18th century.” The volunteer explained how soldiers had to load the musket and the fact that gunpowder and flint were very important for the musket in order to shoot the enemy. The volunteer said that they could only get three shots per minute. He even created a spark because of the flint to show us how the musket worked. The bayonet was another crucial weapon used during the Revolutionary War. According to the National Park Service, “Edged weapons played a critical role in the Revolutionary War. Battles like Guilford Courthouse were decided in bloody hand-to-hand combat where bayonets, swords, and axes were used.”
A volunteer dressed up as a Continental Army soldier explains to the crowd about the musket used during the Revolutionary War. (Photo/Mazza)
In addition, there were candles lit up along the walkway to the front door and the door on the side. Unfortunately, it was a little windy outside so only a handful of candles were able to stay lit. It did make the house more appealing and breathtaking.
A candle lit up along the walkway to the front door of the Whitall house. (Photo/Mazza)
In one of the rooms, the tour guide explained about the dinner table and the importance of having a centerpiece for the meal. According to Colonial Williamsburg, “A beautifully decorated table was the focal point of every feast.” The dinner table at the Whitall house was definitely beautiful and followed according to Colonial Williamsburg description.
A volunteer explaining about the importance of decorating the dinner table for the Christmas feast at the Whitall house. (Photo/Mazza)
It was really dark outside and the only light in the rooms were the candles and Christmas light, which made it really relaxing and awesome. The Christmas trees and decorations really popped out from each room. I asked Karen Heller what is the most exciting part of the candlelight tour. She replied, “Perhaps exciting is not the best word. Perhaps surprising works better. I think people who don’t necessarily like “history” find it a charming experience. The candle light ambiance among the period furniture from time past is really beautiful. The hearth cooks use a real fire, cook real food, and people comment on the wonderful smells. The gardeners use real Christmas trees and all natural decorations to make the house festive. We even had musicians playing period-style music. And it is different every year.” Every time I go there, I am always excited to see how they decorate each room. I also wonder how long it took them to decorate the house as well. I really enjoy going to the kitchen too because they always have a live fire, it can really warm the room up, and it smells amazing! It’s even better if its cold outside and you go into the kitchen to get warmed up (unfortunately, it’s the last room you visit in the tour.)
In one of the rooms, there was a display of Fort Mercer. Even though they did not talk about it because the tour is about Christmas, there was an important battle at Red Bank. According to Theodore P. Savas and J. David Dameron, on October 22, 1777, General Howe launched a full-scale maritime and land assault on Fort Mercer (153). This battle was important because the British tried to get the Continental Army away from the Delaware River and Howe had difficulty supplying his army, which is why he launched a full-scale attack (151). The Continental Army actually won the battle at Fort Mercer, but lost the campaign and Washington and his troops ended up at Valley Forge for winter quarters (155). The battle at Red Bank is really important during the Revolutionary War and it was really cool to see how the fort was set up.
Finally, we moved into the kitchen, which is the last room for the tour. The tour guides said that it is a Dutch oven. They demonstrated making gingerbread and said that it would take 20 minutes to make because they could get the oven as hot as 350 degrees. This is usually how long it would take us with today’s oven. Colonial era cooking was not as far behind as I thought it would be. I was really fascinated that the cooks took some of the coals from the fire to heat up food. According to Colonial Williamsburg, “Few colonial kitchens had bake ovens. They had Dutch ovens, heavy cast-iron pots with little feet for settling into a bank of coals. A rimmed lid held coals on top. The Dutch oven shows us how hearths were used. The back was for maintaining the fire and generating coals to be raked out into piles to heat ovens or pans.” The food looked delicious and smelled amazing along with the amazing fire smell!
Overall, the Whitall tour at Red Bank Battlefield is really amazing. I am always in awe of how beautiful the rooms are and the candle lights throughout the rooms make it even more spectacular. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and they definitely knew what they were talking about. I asked Teresa Haroian about how much research she conducted to prepare herself for the tour. She replied, “I didn’t do any research for the candlelight tour – I’ve been at the house for 24 years, so I knew what to say.” The tour guides are volunteers who love history and the Whitall house. They are there for the joy of it. They want to public to know the importance and significance of the Whitall house and Red Bank Battlefield. So if you get a chance to see them, thank them for their time. However, it is very shocking that not many people come and tour the house. A lot of people go there because Red Bank Battlefield is a holy grail for Pokemon Go. Karen Heller describes the struggle, “Many people are totally unaware of the house, the battle, or the tours. I am sure most don’t realize we are all volunteers and put in countless hours for the pure joy of being there. The hearth cooks work especially hard among very heavy pots and implements.” Red Bank Battlefield is a very important historical place and it should be treated with respect. If you ever get a chance to take a tour, especially a candlelight tour, I suggest you go. You can follow Red Bank Battlefield’s Twitter and Facebook page for more information.
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A sign advertising the candlelight tour at Red Bank Battlefield (Photo/Mazza)
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A Christmas tree decorated like the Colonial period (Photo/Mazza)
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One of the cook volunteers explaining to the group about the Dutch oven in the Whitall house. Above the fire is a pot that is cooking food. In front of the fire is another pot cooking on top of coals from the fire. (Photo/Mazza)
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Mr. Whitall’s desk in his office. There is a door on the left that leads to the kitchen. It made it easier for servants to serve tea and food to Mr. Whitall and his business guest. (Photo/Mazza)
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A table with a plate of oyasters, cards, and cups of alcohol. The best trio anyone in the Colonial period could of have. (Photo/Mazza)
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Another Christmas tree decorated like the Colonial period. (Photo/Mazza)
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Hand-made Christmas tree ornaments. They were made out of paper. (Photo/Mazza)
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Decorations on top of the fire mantel. (Photo/Mazza)
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Volunteer Karen Heller with a visitor near one of the many Christmas trees decorated like the Colonial period. (Photo/Mazza)
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A Christmas tree near the dinner table. (Photo/Mazza)
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A picture of the Whitall house with a Christmas wreath. (Photo/Mazza)
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A line of visitors waiting to tour the Whitall house. Everyone was bundled up as it was 37 degrees with 7 to 11 mph winds. It made it feel like it was 28. (Photo/Mazza)
Sources
Savas, Theodore, and Dameron, J. David. (2006). Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution. Havertown, US: Savas Beatie, ProQuest ebrary. Web. 9 December 2016.
A Bird's Eye View of West Deptford 