Dave Tabler, Author at Appalachian History

3 belsnickel masks 1920s harrisonburg va

December 10, 2018 Christmas traditions

Time for Kris Kringling

Three masks used in the belsnickeling Christmas custom, from Rockingham County, VA, 1920s. Cotton feed sack (l), knit stocking or sweater sleeve, and a sugar sack (r).

The mule I drove was called Old Red

Folk singers today sing happy work songs about mule drivers & mule-skinners. I wonder if any of them know what driving a mule is really like.

1935; CCC workers digging a ditch in Maryland

December 6, 2018 Civilian Conservation Corps / Virginia / Works Progress Administration

He is now in the C.C. Camp

He got to go to the C.C. Camp by his mother taking him to the welfare office and asking that he be signed up.

December 5, 2018 Baked Goods / Christmas traditions

The pie the British authorities banned

The pie’s name comes from the Latin minuere, “to diminish,” and of course mincemeat referred originally to a meat that had been minced up.

Belsnicklers in Singers Glen, VA about 1910; (Photo: Courtesy of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society)

December 4, 2018 Christmas traditions / Virginia

The Belsnickle: definitely NOT Santa Claus

The Belsnickle wasn’t Santa Claus! He was ugly & frightened children. He typically wore a costume made from stockings & burlap or paper bags.

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