The Cleveland Storytelling Guild along with the Museum Center at 5ive Points will present “Breaking Up Christmas”- An Old Christmas Celebration on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the Museum Center located at 200 Inman Street in downtown Cleveland.

Christmas in Appalachia has not always been celebrated on December 25.  Whether because calendar reform in 1752 had removed 11 days, turning December 25 into January 6, or because January 6 had traditionally been celebrated as the day the Christ child was revealed to the world through the visit of the Magi, also known as Epiphany, many in the mountains celebrated Old Christmas on January 6.

Using traditional stories and songs (along with a few surprises) the evening will harken back to the days in Appalachia before the advent of electricity, television and radio when neighbors gathered in homes during the twelve days between what we now celebrate as Christmas on December 25, and “Old Christmas,” on January 6.   Music, food and dancing were all part of the “Breaking Up Christmas” celebration, and a part of the season that everyone looked forward to.

The fun will begin at 6:30 PM, and admission is $5 per person, with a family maximum of $20.  Museum members, Cleveland Storytelling Guild members and children under 5 are free.  For more information, contact the Museum Center at 339-5745 or Judy Baker at tellone@bellsouth.net