OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS AT SCHMID RANCH

06 Dec OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS AT SCHMID RANCH

by Beth Roberts

On Christmas Day, 1908, Harriet Fish Backus, later known as the “Tomboy Bride,” awoke to a gift that would certainly turn the most modern San Juan citizen Christmas-colored with envy: “sparkling diamonds.” But these “diamonds” did not come in the usual small package ladies covet. Harriet’s “diamonds” shone from the surface of a ten-foot deep snow.

Meanwhile, outside her cabin at Tomboy, equipped with snow shoes, a fleece-lined jacket, fur hat, and, of best of all, a sack of toys slung over her back, “The Spirit of Christmas,” labored from shack to shack without discrimination, the annual ritual of Beth Batchellor, Harriet’s best friend.

This Saturday, December 10, the Telluride Historical Museum honors the Spirit of Christmas at its annual celebration at Schmid Ranch. The celebration takes place noon  5 p.m.

There, at the ranch—a centennial farm that has remained in the Schmid family since the 1880’s—the fun includes horse-drawn carriage rides, a bonfire, hot chocolate, cowboy coffee, wreath-making, Santa Claus and gifts for children. Guests can even cut down their own Blue Spruce tree.

The third annual Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration at Schmid Ranch reads like a Christmas story book.

“It’s truly beautiful at the ranch, and the community spirit is palpable,” said Lauren Bloemsma, executive director of the Museum.

The event is FREE thanks to donations at the event and sponsors such as the  TellurideVisitors’ Bureau, Peaks Resort & Spa, Hotel Telluride, Wilkinson Public Library and the New Sheridan Chop House and Hotel.

Bloemsma suggests warm clothes, rope to get your tree home, and your own mug for the hot beverages.

It’s also worth noting the Telluride Historical Museum isn’t completely ignoring the commercial side of the season. During the entire month of December, the museum store hosts Noel Month, when shoppers can play old-fashioned games and win 10 – 50% discounts.

Gifts exchanged amongst the first Telluriders were likely “gloves, warm stockings, hats, home-baked breads and treats, paper dolls, balls, and simple games like jacks and marbles,” said Bloemsma.

Today, the museum offers shoppers contemporary items —  beer steins, belt buckles, travel mugs, ceramic tiles and pendants and knobs by metal artist Lisa Issenberg— that display images from the past. In addition, there are matted and framed images from museum archives. Have you seen Beth Batcheller skiing on the roof of her Tomboy home, or the elephant in Ophir, or Colorado Ave in 1890?

The museum also carries great books including local titles: “Tomboy Bride,” “One Man’s West” and “Rudy’s View.” DVDs document Telluride’s past: “We Skied It!,” “YX Factor,” our  fictional past in “Scrapple.”

For more information about Saturday’s event or about Noel Month, visit the museum online or come to our building at the top of Fir St.

As for “sparkling diamonds” this Christmas, well, the Museum can’t make any promises, although historically speaking, at least we know chances are good.

To learn more about Telluride’s past, old-timey Christmases and what’s in store at the Schmid Ranch, click the “play” button and listen to Susan Viebrock’s interview with Clarice Schmid.