Brigit’s Day and Candlemas at HNBL
Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 1:00-5:00 pm

Selections from the BCHS coverlet collection will be on exhibit.

Demonstration of the 18th century craft of candle-making using authentic materialsincluding lard in the Outkitchen.

1:30 pm talk on Coverlets by Deborah Powell, Past President and BCHS Collections Chair.

Children's activity includes a take-away.

Brigit’s Day and Candlemas come midway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, when snowdrops, the first flower of spring, make their appearance, signaling nature’s awakening from winter’s sleep. Candlemas is named for the blessing of candles, used to protect homes and for procession through farm field and orchard. As evidenced by Groundhog’s Day, weather prognostication was commonly practiced in anticipation of spring sowing. Good weather at Candlemas is taken to indicate severe winter weather later. Hence, the saying, “If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year. Another old English proverb proclaimed, “If Candlemas be fair and bright, winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, winter will not come again.” Rush crosses, woven for Brigid’s Day, were believed to protect house and livestock from adversity.

Some of the Society’s treasure of Revolutionary War artifacts are on display.All 3 Jersey-Dutch Houses will be open for tours, connected by an ADA gravel walking path through the historic battleground.

Event takes place in Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main St, River Edge, NJ 07661. $12 adult, $7 children, BCHS members free.

An individual membership is $20, most of our events are free to BCHS members or discounted. 100% goes to our missioin. Free parking is available or take a train on the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus via NJ Transit to the New Bridge Landing stop. Walk one block north and east to reach us.