Fenyes Mansion decked for the holidays (Photo – Melanie Hooks).
Our Victorian-era ancestors took home decorating very seriously, especially during the Christmas season, and it’s all evident at the Fenyes Mansion.
By Wafic Khalil
Join us below on a visit to the charming mansion in Pasadena, and a unique glimpse into life on Millionaire’s Row during the holiday season.
Outdoor decorating
Unlike modern times, impressive outdoor holiday displays were not common a hundred years ago. Open air decorations were simple back then, and yet elegant. The Fenyes Mansion would have been decorated the same way (see photo above).
Christmas display with ostrich feathers (Photo – Melanie Hooks).
Victorian customs
As Charles Dickens saved Christmas, and helped influence new traditions with his writings (read How Christmas Was Stolen and Found), so did American Christmas customs get largely influenced by Victorian England practices, with some local flair added in the mix as evident in the Mansion’s entry hall display where feathers were brought in from the nearby ostrich farm in South Pasadena.
Fenyes Mansion Main Christmas tree (Photo – Staff).
Tree decorations
Christmas Tree decorations included berry garlands, paper flowers, and gilded apples. Paper was also a common material for making ornaments. It was not uncommon to use gold or silver garlands on the tree along with candles in metal holders, but in wealthier homes, as in the house of Eva Fenyes, glass holders were used instead.
Fires were so common back then, that in 1908 insurance companies stopped paying for fires started by candles on Christmas trees!
Garland and candles (Photo – Melanie Hooks).
The Christmas Tree at the solarium (Photo – Staff).
Close-up of the solarium Christmas tree (Photo – Staff).
Apples and paper flowers (Photo – Staff).
A visit to the Fenyes Mansion would not be complete without visiting Eva’s stunning art studio where she spent part of her time painting. There you would find an artificial tree made of goose feathers.
Feather Christmas trees were first created in Germany (1880s or 1890s) and were regarded as one of the first types of artificial Christmas trees. They became popular during the early 20th century and were advertised as a safe alternative to the fresh-cut trees.
(L-R) Jeannette Bovard, Media Consultant for Pasadena Museum of History, and Sarah Emery Bunn decorate the Eva Fenyes’ studio (Photo – Staff).
Christmas tree made of Goose feathers (Photo – Michelle Turner).
The holidays are much more fun when they are spent with friends and loved ones. The Fenyes Mansion’s inhabitants had many holiday gatherings throughout the years. It’s time we soak in the joy of the holidays by touring this wonderful gem and getting into the spirit of the season mixed in with Pasadena’s history.
> Holiday Open House
Saturday, December 9, 1-4pm. Free mini tours of the Mansion plus live music, tours of the Finnish Folk Art Museum, free entry to The Royals of Pasadena exhibit where the Rose Queen and Court will be appearing from 2-3pm, complimentary refreshments and discounts in the Museum Store.
Leave a Reply