Christmas Village at Edaville Railroad Designed By Norwood Man-This Day In Norwood History-December 17, 1941

Fraser Designed Display On Large Scale This Year

The village of “Peacedale” is the subject of the eighth annual Christmas display at the Atwood estate in South Carver. This is the fifth year that Harry Fraser, Norwood, has designed the display which last year was visited by 80,000 people, with an actual guest book registration of 41,148. Represented by the registrants was every state in the union but Delaware and 16 foreign countries.

Larger crowds are anticipated this year The display itself is on a much larger scale. It covers 20,000 square feet and employs over 700 lights. The two warming houses are again open dispensing genial hospitality to all who visit the display Six attendants dressed in white, cranberry red, and green are ready to extend welcomes, and parking space and two traffic officers ease motor difficulties.

The display opened this Monday and will be up until January 4th. Lights are on from 4:30 to midnight. The spectacle is the Atwood’s expression of the Christmas spirit and has become the subject of annual holiday pilgrimages for thousands

“Peacedale,” Harry Fraser’s conception this year, represents a village of a hundred years ago. Its central theme is a general store in which may be seen three villagers, all life-size. Two are animated, the store proprietor, Abner Worker, and Elder Wrightous. The store is fitted with the commodities sold in that era, and is four-fifths natural size.

Across the street is a saltbox house, complemented with a hen coop and yard% well stocked with poultry A little litter of skunks may be seen nearby.

Next to the saltbox house is the Peacedale Inn, where the holiday spirit is evidenced by the music which drifts from its doors. Across the street la the parsonage, and the parson may be seen leaving for the midnight service at the church, further up the street. Christmas carols emanate from the church alternating with the music from the Inn.

An incidental house and the Peacedale railroad station complete the scene. The Peacedale local, an old ninety-and-nine, pulls into the station, stops to discharge passengers and chugs on. Rounding the turn of the road from Tranquil Hollow is Santa and his reindeer.

The whole display is constructed in minute detail, and properly landscaped. A star and moon add to the winter night effect.

A printed folder explaining the display is given each visitor. The Atwood’s close it with this, *God preserve the American way of living as laid down ’to us by our forefathers.”

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)