Tradition Meets Eco-Friendly at The Granger House

When you think of the Victorian Era, the term “eco-friendly” may not come to mind. But, according to Kathy Wilson, volunteer and soon-to-be director at The Granger House in Marion, not every aspect of the Victorian Era was fancy and gaudy.

During this period, many families learned to make-do with repurposed Christmas decorations and ornaments.

“What they were doing is what we’re trying to get people to do now,” she said of the environmental practice.

On Sunday, a small bunch of Marion residents learned how Victorians recycled for the holidays. Granger House and Marion Heritage Center volunteers and staff hosted a workshop on how to make paper-fan ornaments from recycled wallpaper, among other traditional ornament designs.

The “Waste Not-Want Not” exhibit at the Heritage Center inspired the workshop, as did the hosts’ knowledge of Victorian holiday practices.

Barb Feller, current director of The Granger House, said historic diaries indicate previous inhabitants of The Granger House likely invited Girl Scouts into the home to make ornaments years ago.

She added upcoming Christmas events at the Granger house include visits from “Charles Dickens,” a one-man performer, on both Sunday the 9^th, and Sunday the sixteenth.