Christmas in Pennsylvania: A Folk-Cultural Study

30 b/w photos, 7 x 9
40th Anniversary Edition
Folk background of the Christmas celebration

Originally published in 1959 and written by one of the seminal figures in American folklife studies, this classic work examines the folk origins of Christmas in Pennsylvania. Composed of interviews and contemporary newspaper reports, it records holiday practices from the eighteenth century through the early-twentieth century. Traditions explored include mummers, Kriss Kringle, the Christmas tree, trimming the tree, Belsnickling, and cookie cutters. A new introduction and concluding chapter by Don Yoder give insight into Shoemakers influential career and the significance of this still vital work.