Living History: The return of an annual tradition

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Who would ever think that an orange, strange-looking squash would generate both an unofficial holiday and a multi-billion dollar industry? Over many decades, the ritual of Halloween with carved pumpkins, masks and spooky outfits has become one of the most celebrated events on our fall calendar. The common pumpkin — Cucurbita pepo — is native to North America, the oldest evidence from seeds dating back to around 7,000 B.C. The word pumpkin originates from the Greek pepon, meaning “large melon.” Adapted by the French to pompon, the English to pumpion and later by colonists to its present spelling, this ancient vegetable is now the symbol for a season of giving thanks, retrospection and, yes, a night of fun which we all know today.

Halloween is big business; it accounts for roughly $2.6 billion in annual sales in the United States alone. One of the most popular crops in the U.S., approximately 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced domestically each year. The largest pumpkin-generating states are Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. Aside from the ever-growing numbers of adult and child celebrants for Halloween, there are now pumpkin-growing contests where proud farmers boast stunning results, the world record pumpkin tilting in at 2,009 pounds in 2012.

Millions of parents around America visit rustic orchards and farm produce stands in the rural countryside to purchase what will become a source of fun and excitement in the days leading up to October 31st. Pumpkin carving originated in the 1600’s in England, where the term “Jack-‘O- Lantern” came into use to describe light flickering over peat bogs, a phenomenon sometimes called “Will- ‘O- the Wisp” in British folklore. In the 19th century, revelers in Ireland and Scotland often carved strange faces and figures on turnips and other vegetables to represent spirits coming to life around the time of the Autumn harvest. The term Jack- O- Lantern came to be used in America in the 1830’s. Noted poet John Greenleaf Whittier even wrote a poem titled “The Pumpkin”:

“…When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin…
Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!”

Why the scary faces and flickering lights? An old Irish folk tale mentions a farmer named Jack who had a terrifying encounter with the devil, Jack later wandering the Earth searching for a place to rest as he carried a hollowed-out turnip holding a glowing ember. Superstitious people over the centuries tried to protect their homes and families with Jack- ‘O- Lanterns as a way to ward off evil spirits and, yes, even vampires. The more grotesque the images, the better they served to scare away loathsome entities. Thus began a trend which has lasted up to the present day, with children and parents enjoying this fanciful pursuit that brings more joy than almost any other day of the year.

Pumpkin carving events around the Chadds Ford area started to attract attention when Andrew Wyeth began displaying them in the 1970’s around the Chadds Ford Inn. His creations became so popular, the event eventually moved to the grounds of the nearby Chadds Ford Historical Society (CFHS), where it has been thrilling people of all ages for more than two decades.

The 2013 Great Pumpkin Carve will take place at the Chadds Ford Historical Society behind the Barn Visitor Center, 1736 Creek Road in Chadds Ford, on Thursday, Oct. 24 through Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. each night. More than 60 carvers will delight viewers with their wildly-sculpted creations. There will be hayrides and live music, as well as food and beverages sponsored by the Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary. This year will showcase a new event — the “Haunted Trail” — where kids of all ages can wander through a spooky path featuring ghosts, goblins and flying creatures known to inhabit the nether world around All Hallows’ Eve.

In addition, there will also be “A Not So Scary Halloween”- a reading of stories at the historic John Chads House (circa 1725) just across the street from the Society on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. All are encouraged to come in costume and parade around the grounds to ward off any spooky “uninvited” guests. So this year, the public will get two opportunities to make Halloween a fun event for the entire family- The Great Pumpkin Carve and the readings at the John Chads House. For more information, contact the Historical Society at 610-388-7376 or visit their website at www.chaddsfordhistory.org.

• Gene Pisasale is an author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His six books focus and lecture series on local history. Gene’s latest work is “The Forgotten Star”, which delves into the War of 1812 and true life mysteries surrounding an American icon- The Star-Spangled Banner. Gene will be conducting his lecture on the War of 1812 on Tuesday October 15th at the Swarthmore Public Library and one on the Civil War on Saturday October 19th at the Bayard Taylor Library in downtown Kennett Square. Both events are free and open to the public. Gene can be contacted at Gene@GenePisasale.com. Visit his website at www.GenePisasale.com.

 

 

 

About Gene Pisasale

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pa. His eight books and historic lecture series focus on the history of the mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System, which delves into the life and many accomplishments of this important Founding Father who almost single-handedly transformed our nation from a bankrupt entity into the most successful country in the history of mankind. Gene’s books are available on www.Amazon.com. His website is www.GenePisasale.com; he can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

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