New Year's Eves and Days Past by Pete Zizka 12-31-2022 |
On
this New Year’s Eve, we’ll take a look back at New Year’s activities
circa 1880-1920. In 1879. the
National Brass Band, of Willimantic, gave a grand concert and social
on New Year's Eve. The music was furnished by the National Brass
Band full orchestra, with Henry Wheeler as prompter. On that same
night, innkeeper Samuel Hughes hosted a “grand ball” at Scotland’s
“Central House” on the Green (this week’s photo). On New Year’s
Day,1880, the Congregational Church members hosted a “fine turkey
dinner” for over 100 poor children. After dinner, there was
entertainment and each child was given,” a temperance tract, an
orange and a bag of candy to take home”. On the same day, there was
a New Year’s ball at the Hooker House. And, in Scotland, the
Rev. A.A. Hurd “quite unexpectedly gave the largest New
Year’s reception in town, sixty-four of his friends presenting
themselves in the evening, to his complete surprise.” Rev. and Mrs.
Hurd were showered with gifts and wished that, “all ministers have
as kind and thoughtful parishioners. The surprise visit of New
Year’s night, when over sixty friends came to the parsonage, will be
cherished forever as a pleasant memory.” At the Hebron parsonage,
the annual social and Christmas tree took place on New Year’s
evening, and “was much enjoyed by both old and young. The presents
for the tree had been carefully selected by Mrs. Bryant, in New
York, and each pupil in the Sunday school, and also the teachers,
were remembered with a present. A very tempting supper was prepared
by the ladies of the society. It was estimated that 75 persons were
present. Before the party broke up, the Rector, Rev. H. Bryant was
presented with a purse containing something of $30.” On New Year’s
evening, 1881, there was a gathering at the Linen Company’s boarding
house. “Every branch of two large trees was laden with New Year's
gifts for the assembled company, and a candy pull had been arranged
for their amusement.”. In 1884, the Baptist Church held a “Christmas
Tree event”. “There was a
crowded house, and the program, which was quite varied, passed off
unusually smooth. The venerable Santa Claus, who played his part in
a very efficient and amusing manner. The distribution of presents
was completed at a reasonable hour, and all went home satisfied with
the fruits of Christmas borne to them on New Year’s.” Over in South
Coventry, the Congregationalist Sunday School had an enjoyable time
at their Superintendent's home on New Year’s evening.
The Chronicle, in 1881, made mention that, “We have not heard that the
custom of New Year's calls was observed to any extent in this place
on New Year’s. Nothing particular marked the day as being a legal
holiday, other than the closing of the banks--who wouldn't be a bank
man!” On New Year’s Eve,1900, the Chronicle editorialized that,” The
advent of a new century hasn’t seemed to affect Willimantic people
with any particular seriousness, although there is every prospect
that the city will witness the beginning of a new prosperity which
will be both permanent and flattering”. New Year’s services were
common at almost all local churches. The Methodist Church and the
Lutheran Church each held both a “watch meeting” on the Eve and then
a morning and evening service on the Day. The Catholic Churches held
New Year’s Day High Masses. The Baptists held a “roll call service
and the Congregational Church hosted special services consisting of
a choir program and a sermon.
According
to newspaper
headlines, 1913 was welcomed in with “laughter, dancing, prayer and
reflection”. The Thread City Cyclers held both a reunion and a dance
at the Town Hall. Another dance was to take place at Washburn Hall.
As was the custom, the manufacturing establishments were closed and
those merchants who did open, closed their shops by noon. The
skating area at Recreation Park was also a gathering place for
hundreds of skaters. An interesting note is that the years from
1914-1918 were quiet ones with few activities. An editorial said,
”Willimantic was exceptionally quiet.” On New Year’s Day,1919,
however, things were not so quiet as the Elks Club began their New
Year’s “Frolics” at the Center Street Armory. Over 100 people
attended and the three floors of the Armory were decorated. There
was dancing, a bowling tournament , toasts and a luncheon. By New
Year’s Day, 1922, a Sunday, the Elks celebration was being held at
the new State Armory and over 1,000 people attended.
The
twelve piece Peerless Orchestra gave a concert for an hour and then played
dance music for the rest of the evening.
There was
also entertainment by the singers of the Rialto Harmony Four of New
Haven and the Lyric Hawaiian Five. At 11 P.M., Grand Exalted
Ruler James F. McGlone gave the customary “Elks Toast”. At midnight
“there was a great deal of mirth with all kinds of noise-makers”.
Refreshments were then served. Later, during an intermission of the
entertainment program, dinner was also served.
For
several Year’s, the Elks “Frolic” was the city’s premier event for
ushering in the New Year.
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