UTICA — The holiday and winter traditions of the Mohawk Valley will be recalled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Oneida County History Center, 1608 Genesee St.

William Sawyer, a park ranger for more than 30 years, will present The Holiday Traditions of the Mohawk Valley with songs and stories looking at historic holiday traditions of the 1700s.

His research into celebrations of the 1700s shows how the different cultures contributed to a shared version of the holiday. This heartwarming, non-commercial program that will be a joy for the entire family. This event is free and open to the public.

America was a melting pot of traditions from all over the world. The Puritans of New England did not celebrate Christmas. Early German and English immigrants to the Mohawk Valley were more accustomed to celebrating the holiday. In combining elements from various cultures, America developed unique traditions. 

The custom of burning the yule log goes back to before medieval times. Yule is the name of the old Winter Solstice festivals in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe such as Germany.

From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston and law-breakers were fined five shillings. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

The Oneida County History Center is a private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving the history, heritage and culture of the Greater Mohawk Valley for present and future generations.

For more information, call the center at 315-735-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org.