The story of the holiday tune “Jingle Bells” begins in Medford, when resident James Pierpont watched annual one-horse open sleigh rides between Medford Square and Malden Square. 

Those bells that inspired Pierpont to write the famous song were most likely manufactured 124 miles south in East Hampton, Connecticut. The New England town, nicknamed “Bell Town USA,” crafted small bells, from the hand bells wrung by Salvation Army workers during the holiday season to the sleigh bells referenced in “Jingle Bells,” for nearly 80 years in the 1800s. The practice continued, however, long after large bell manufactures moved out of town. 

Those jingling bells may have roots out of state, but many of the famed “one horse open sleighs” were manufactures here in western Massachusetts. Belchertown, as well as parts of South Hadley, were known for crafting carriages and sleighs for customers across the state, country and world.

These three emblems of the holiday season, and it’s local history, are just a few of the 19 symbols hidden at the Granby Historical Association’s Winter Wonderland. On Dec. 14 and 15, visitors can explore the decorated Quirk House at 10 Common St., complete with tinsel-decorated trees, antique toys and glass figurines of carolers. Along the exhibit, visitors will discover more than a cozy New England home decorated for the holidays, but the origin stories of many winter traditions and famed icons of the holiday season.

“People lived around here [who] wrote these wonderful hymns,” said Terry Johnson, President of the Granby Historical Association. “It was just amazing that the stuff that we were researching, I was finding, and I go, “This is local!”

The idea of Winter Wonderland began a couple years ago when Johnson unboxed tons of antique dolls, puzzles and children’s toys from the association’s archives. She wanted to display the toys in some way, but didn’t know how until she found articles on the history of Christmas traditions in magazines like Good Old Days and Reminisce. 

“I would cut it out and put it in a folder, cut it out, put it in the folder, and I [said] we should do a display, and then it kind of spiraled from there,” Johnson said. “But had I decorated, it would be nothing like this.”

While Johnson took care of the historic research, two other members of the historical association transformed the Quirk House into a Christmas Cottage. Donna Pike and Judy LePlante both have backgrounds in crafting and art, making pillow covers, flower arrangements and tiny figurine displays. Johnson asked Pike and LePlante to use their talents “to do whatever they want” with the space, as long as the 19 traditional Christmas symbols were somewhere in the house. 

The items themselves come from the Granby Historical Association’s huge backlog of antiques and historic items from past Granby residents, along with Pike and LePlante’s own collection of holiday goodies. Johnson said LePlante also borrowed decorative quilts and other small items to fill the space. 

Most of the season’s traditions, Johnson said, originated in Germany from pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. The Yule Log, a large log that burns in the hearth of the home during Christmas Day, comes from the pagan celebration of Yule and was incorporation into Christmas as Christianity spread across Europe. Johnson learned how American families interpreted and used these European traditions.

“The servants took the biggest log they could find and wet it down so it would burn longer because as long as that was burning they didn't have to work,” Johnson said. “I'm thinking, ‘Good for them. They got a break.’”

Some holiday symbols have simple explanations, like candy canes, which were invented in Germany around 1670 to occupy children during the church Christmas services. Other symbols, however, have a more complicated history. Wreaths, for instance, were made in Ireland out of holly boughs for Celtic celebrations, but Christmas wreaths were popularized in Germany during the 16th century to celebrate the time leading up to Dec. 25.

Other colonial Christmas traditions were particularly dangerous. A common game on Christmas Eve, called “Snapdragon” involved a burning bowl of brandy or rum with almonds and raisins. Children and their parents would attempt to grab the fruit and nuts from the bowl without burning their fingers. The game was popular in America from the 16th to 19th centuries. 

Anyone interested in viewing Winter Wonderland can visit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec 14 and 15. Santa will be present and available to take photos alongside several antique Santa dolls.

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.