Sandy Spring Museum's History Happy Hour

What were the Christmas holiday traditions that the Washington's shared with their family and guests? What was life like for staff and slaves during the busy holiday season? Traditional foods, hospitality, and decorations will be a focus of this presentation. Sample holiday dishes the Washington's served at their holiday gatherings. Mary V. Thompson is a Research Historian at The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington . With extensive experience documenting foodways of the colonial period, she primarily focuses on everyday life on the estate, including domestic routines, foodways, religious practices, slavery, and the slave community. Ms. Thompson authored the book In the Hands of a Good Providence: Religion in the Life of George Washington, which received the 2009 Alexandria History Award from the Alexandria Historical Society.