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Thanksgiving is a national holiday which tradition states was inspired by a feast shared between the English colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts and the native Wampanoag people in 1621. Abraham Lincoln officially established the holiday in 1863. On Saturday, November 19 from 11am – 12pm, five days in advance of Thanksgiving, the Wilton Historical Society Museum Educator Catherine Lipper will discuss the tradition of serving the Thanksgiving roast turkey, and the presidential Pardoning of a Turkey in the United States. To celebrate, participants will create their own decorative turkeys using real pinecones and felt for feathers. A perfect centerpiece for any Thanksgiving table!
Suggested for ages 6 – 10. Members: $10 per child; Non-members $15 per child.
Please register by filling out the form below or by emailing info@wiltonhistorical.org
Did You Know?
In 1939, the United States celebrated Thanksgiving twice. President Franklin Roosevelt, hoping to push the country out of the Great Depression, wanted to add another week to the Christmas shopping season by moving the holiday one week earlier. That year, he declared Thursday, November 23rd the official date of Thanksgiving. The unexpected decision was controversial with multiple groups, including calendar makers (who had already printed calendars indicating Thanksgiving was on the 30th), schools (who had already scheduled their holiday vacations), and traditionalists who disliked the meddling with the normally agreed upon dates. As a result, parts of the nation followed the President and celebrated on the 23rd, while others kept to the expected date of the 30th.