To abolitionist activists, however, the Christmas season presented an opportunity to raise funds and share their anti-slavery beliefs. Anti-Slavery Festivals became regular events in many northern cities. Although men generally dominated the political and administrative arms of major anti-slavery societies, this was an area in which the women took charge. These popular and highly successful events were organized, supplied and staffed almost solely by female activists, and they often provided the essential funding that made the political activities possible throughout the rest of the year.
A correspondent to The North Star, Frederick Douglass' abolitionist weekly, reported that the ladies of the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society were "getting up a monster Fair, to come off during teh holidays, to be held at the Philadelphia Institute." The correspondent, identified only as "Palmetto," remarked "No doubt it will be something rich, for the females are very zealous when they put their heads together."
The same correspondent had earlier reported on a trip to Harrisburg by several male representatives of the Philadelphia society, lamenting the lack of funds available in the society coffers. He credited the success of the trip to the women who stayed behind, observing "Had it not been for the indefatigable exertions of the ladies, together with a few societies, many of the delegates would have been obliged to remain at home." (North Star, 22 December 1848)
The women of Rochester, New York put on an ambitious Anti-Slavery Festival in 1852. This advertisement from the Frederick Douglass Paper paints a picture of a vibrant and exciting event:
The Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Festival will open on Thursday, 23d of December in CORINTHIAN HALL, at 3 o'clock precisely.
There will be exhibited for sale a large assortment of articles useful and ornamental, both of American and FOREIGN manufacture. We are happy to state that anti-slavery friends in England and Ireland, have contributed more largely this year than on any former occasion; and the British tables will be highly attractive.
The Society trusts that the friends of the slave in this vicinity, will postpone the purchase of their Christmas and New Year's gifts until the 23d of December.
"THE AUTOGRAPHS FOR FREEDOM" will appear on the first day of the Festival, and will form the most attractive feature of the Book Table.
Bounteous Refreshment Tables will be provided; for which contributions are solicited from all who feel an interest in the objects of the Society. Among the gentlemen who are expected to be present, to address the audience on this occasion, are Rev. Samuel J. May, R. R. Raymond, W. H. Channing, Rev. Ovid Miner, and Frederick Douglass.
Donations of TEA, COFFEE, SUGAR, CREAM, MEATS, and CONFECTIONARY, will be particularly acceptable; and donations in money will be thankfully received.
The Society trust that liberal patronage will be extended to their Festival on the forthcoming occasion.
Money was raised not only from the sale of donated goods, which included both food and handicrafts, but also from a small admittance charge. In 1858, the Philadelphia women charged thirteen cents as a daily admission fee, or twenty-five cents for a season pass. But money to fund activities was only one on their aims. From an 1836 report, they noted: "The most important results of such sales, is, we think, the silent, unobtrusive, and extensive dissemination of anti-Slavery truth. The form of the chained and kneeling slave, pictured on needle book or a pin cushion, may arouse the latest sympathies of many a heart, and suggest to many a conscience the reproving inquiry, 'What hast thou done for the redemption of thy brother?'"
Harrisburg did not lag behind in the holiday fair tradition, and in fact kept raising funds throughout the Civil War, and after. Money was subsequently raised to support the destitute freedmen of the South, following liberation. Harrisburg resident Lizzie C. Williams organized a fair that commenced on Christmas Day, 1865, and continued through New Year's Day, 1866. A Harrisburg correspondent to the Christian Recorder newspaper reported that the fair "realized quite a handsome profit."
That same year, the women of Harrisburg's office of the U.S. Sanitary Commission raised money and collected goods to send to the freedmen. This effort was organized and directed by the local organization president, Mrs. J. L. Spence.
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