Saline History & Depot Museum


OPEN 11 am - 3 pm Saturdays

  
LOCATION: 402 N. Ann Arbor Street, 4 blks. north of Downtown Saline, near Bennett Street (traffic light) and the museum is set back from the road. During open hours, the railroad lights are blinking. Look for the red caboose and the depot will be right there.
(View "Saline Museum" for more information)

 

German Christmas traditions that were brought to the U.S. include the following::
:
Gingerbread Houses
Anyone who has traveled to Germany during the holiday season knows that Germany is awash in gingerbread at Christmastime. Gingerbread houses originated in Germany during the 16th century and became associated with Christmas. It gained further popularity with the tales from the Brothers Grimm, including Hansel and Gretel. The recipe didn’t land in the U.S. until the 19th century.
Santa Claus
Yes, modern-day Santa Claus has German ancestry. German-American political cartoonist Thomas Nast created the jolly, full-figured, man in a red suit and beard in a series of drawings for Harper’s Weekly during the Civil War era.
Classic Christmas Carols
Americans love to sing “O Christmas Tree” and “Silent Night,” which Germans know better as “O Tannenbaum” and “Stille Nacht.” “Handel’s Messiah” was written in German but originates in neighboring Austria.
Advent Wreath
Families in Germany put an Advent wreath on the living room table the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The wreaths have four large candles and, traditionally, pinecones and berries. As lights are dimmed, the whole family gathers around the wreath. As one, they spend a quiet, reflective hour together. Some families may sing Christmas carols or enjoy a child’s performance on the flute or piano. Others may watch an afternoon family movie. This may include having hot chocolate, tea, coffee or glühwein for drinks. Also, they may munch on stollen, cookies, marzipan chocolate, roasted chestnuts and fruits. Each Sunday before Christmas a candle will be lit until all four candles are lighting the room.
The Advent Calendarr
The Advent Calendar counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve and is one of childhood’s greatest memories. Every day during the Advent season a new door on the Advent calendar is opened. Each opened door proceeds to reveal a sweet chocolate! The Advent calendar tradition began with plain cards with paper backings and 24 “windows” that opened to reveal Christmas scenes. Today you can get original German advent calendars with religious motifs and advent calendars containing cute figures or chocolates for boys and girls.
Christmas Trees
German immigrants brought the tradition of the Christmas tree to the U.S. in the 19th century, according to the Goethe Institute. In addition to the tree, ornaments and tinsel also became popular adornments for the tree in Europe before gaining fame in the U.S. when American dime-store magnate, F.W. Woolworth began importing them.
Traditional Christmas Dinner
Saving the best for last, one of the most anticipated German Christmas traditions is the Christmas dinner! The traditional Christmas meal features duck, goose, rabbit or a roast. This main dish is accompanied by German delicacies such as apple and sausage stuffing, red cabbage and potato dumplings. Dessert typically includes Christmas Stollen, considered one of the best Christmas pastries in the world! The most famous Stollen, which can be found at many supermarkets, is called Dresdner Stollen. This tasty version bursts with nuts and fruit and is sure to change your mind about the term “fruitcake.” Stollen is shaped with tapered ends and a ridge down the center, symbolizing the Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes.
Lebkuchen
Honey-sweet, richly spiced ginger Lebkuchen come in three basic varieties – plain, chocolate covered or sugar glazed. While they are available in different shapes like hearts, the classic Lebkuchen is round.
Springerle
This anise-flavored, white cookie is a regional specialty from Southern Germany, more precisely form the Swabian region of Baden-Württemberg. What makes them special is their decorative charm since they feature intricate imprints that are made by pressing a mold into the rolled dough and allowing the impression to dry before baking. The molds range from simple patterns and folkloric motives all the way to very intricate depictions of animals, people or localities.
Kaiser-Plätzchen
are Irresistible jam-filled Christmas cookies shaped like stars, hearts, or rounds. The round ones are also called Little Rogues (Spitzbuben).

 

The above is a photograph of literature given to the SAHS by the Village of Saline, Scotland, UK.