Christmas in the 19th Century by Lantern Light

There was no electric light, heat and food came from the family hearth and there was no shortage of prejudice against Irish Catholics in the town of Wheatfield, but Christmas Eve was a joyous time for the Conroy family.

"Men were coming home from the Civil War, everyone was anticipating a festive time," said Sarah Schlea, who plays Molly Conroy the fictional family depicted in Hale Farm & Village's annual Lantern tour in Bath.

"The Irish were just one wrung above the slaves back then, so life was hard... it was hard to find work. Most of the Conroy family members would have hired themselves out as domestic workers or farmers," Schlea said, "even young children."

Schlea and her fellow actors take visitors on a 90-minute trip back in time in the small Ohio village. The tour stops at a doctors office, the Conroy home and visits a choir performance at the village church. The name Wheatfield represents an actual Ohio town, according to the Western Reserve Historical Society, but the actual details are a compilation of what was known about life during the post-Civil War era. 

Schlea and other women wear jeans under period dresses and petticoats to guard against the chill. Men dress in thick therms beneath their wool suits and coats.

On the tour, each reenactor takes on the personality of their 145-year-old alter ego -- although if you look closely, you might catch Schler sneaking a bite of her favorite candy -- Mike and Ikes are often stowed away in her pocket.

Lantern Tours are schedlued to depart every 20 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. tonight (Dec. 21), Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. The last tour of the night is at 8:20 p.m. The tours are an indoor/outdoor activity, so dress warm. Admission is $18. Reservations are required.