Explore the Steveston Tram with the return of the holiday scavenger hunt
Discover connections between childhood of the past, the trams, and winter celebrations, as you look for twelve holiday-themed items throughout the museum. Find the holiday items in bold below, and learn about the stories behind them.
Holiday presents and department store windows
For many in Richmond’s hardworking past, holiday celebrations were not a time for expensive store-bought presents. Instead, children may have received hand-made toys such as wooden spinning tops, cup and balls or Jacob’s ladders. Hand-knit hats and scarves were also popular gifts.
Richmond families rode Tram Car 1220 into Vancouver to see the festively decorated shop windows at Woodward’s Department Store, dreaming of all the fancy gifts and toys on display.
Homes and chores
Children lived in all kinds of houses in Richmond – some big and some small. Take a moment to look at Peter Grant’s LEGO heritage building models to see some of the historic homes that still stand. Read more on these LEGO builds, at Winter Tram Lights Up the Holiday Season – Steveston Tram.
Children rode their bicycles to nearby bogs to dig up small fir trees. They dragged these trees back home through snow and ice, to decorate with festive cranberry or popcorn garlands and handmade decorations.
Just like today, children in Richmond had chores to do. But the chores were very different in the past! Some families owned at least one pig. Sometimes this pig was brought home from market on the Tram. Even young children learned how to gather table scraps and milk slops to feed to the family pig.
Feeding chickens was also an important chore. Chickens laid eggs that fed families and or were sold to help with household bills. Chickens often slow down or stop laying eggs in winter, so they might end up on the table for Christmas dinner.
“Hot potatoes”
In the freezing winter, it wasn’t always easy waiting for the next tram to arrive in the tiny tram stop shacks. While waiting, teenagers sometimes stole potatoes from nearby fields. They would light a fire and bake the potatoes, often saving a warm potato to give to a grateful tram Conductor in exchange for a free ride.
Holiday traditions
Towards the end of winter at Lunar New Year, some Richmond families exchanged festive cookies and nuts in red envelopes.
This year the Steveston Tram continues its holiday tradition of having the Richmond Public Library join us for story time readings of Chris Van Allsburg’s book The Polar Express aboard Tram Car 1220 for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages.
What holiday memories and traditions do you remember from the past, and which do you hope will continue on 100 years from now?
In addition to the holiday scavenger hunt, don’t miss all of Winter Tram programs and activities, from December 1 to 31. Drop in during open hours; admission is free.
