Winter in Wisconsin can be long and feel never-ending with the gloomy days and long dark evenings. These old-fashioned activities were tried and true amongst the pioneers and are sure to bring some good, wholesome fun into your winter evenings.
“If only I had some grease I could fix some kind of a light,” Ma considered. “We didn’t lack for light when I was girl before this newfangled kerosene was ever heard of.”
“That’s so,” said Pa. “These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraph and kerosene and coal stoves- they’re good things to have, but the trouble is, folks get to depend on ’em.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter
This evening the electric company performed a scheduled maintenance check on our power lines, which meant that we were without power for an hour and a half while the power company worked. Being without power, for even just a a short time like we were, is a small glimpse at what life would have been like for our pioneering ancestors. Without false lighting and without the sun, the house was incredibly dark. There was no WIFI, which meant no internet for us either. So there we sat in the darkness without electricity, without running water, without toilets, without television, without our refrigerator, without the electric stove, and without our cell phones or computers.
So what were we to do?
Nestled away in isolation during winter in Wisconsin could not have been a fun task for the pioneers. I’m sure there was a constant worry- worry if they had enough food to last, worry if the fire would go out, worry if they would be able to see anyone again other than their immediate family any time soon (well, that one feels a little familiar during the pandemic….). I’m sure it was incredibly lonely, and without an optimistic mindset, I’m sure it could be really draining too.
So what did those pioneer evenings look like? How did they pass the time without the distraction of modern day technologies stealing away their attention?
These old-fashioned activities are tried and true amongst the pioneers, and they might be nice to bring into your own family’s evening too. Because, though modern conveniences can be a blessing, they can also be a curse. Like a thief in the night, they can swoop in and steal you away from what’s important and sitting right in front of you without you even noticing, Though we depend on modern technologies for some things in our lives, maybe you’ll consider trying one of these ideas to depend on for entertainment some night soon.
What are Wisconsin winters like?
The winter season usually starts in Wisconsin by early November, though there might be some occasional warm days (warm meaning above 30 degrees Fahrenheit) sprinkled within there. Snow begins to fall as early as October. I can’t remember a Christmas without snow, and usually by December the ground is blanketed.
According to usclimatedata.com, Wisconsin averages a total of 55 inches of snow each year, or just a little over 4 1/2 feet of snow. During the hardest winter months (December, January and February), the average low temperature sinks down 4 degrees Fahrenheit with an average high temperature only rises to 23 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a cold, snow-filled tundra in this part of the United States, but it is oh so very beautiful.
How much daylight do you have during winter in Wisconsin?
Combined with the cold, the dark evenings can be long. On the winter solstice, or the “shortest day of the year” in terms of daylight hours, the sun rose at 7:20 a.m. and set at 4:20 p.m. This leaves only 9 hours of daylight and 15 hours of darkness.
What can you do during winter in Wisconsin?
Winter in Wisconsin doesn’t have to be boring and dull, nor does it need to be spent behind a screen. Our pioneering ancestors had lots of ways to pass the time during the long winter months.
Play Music Together
Music was a huge source of entertainment for early settlers, if they were lucky enough to have an instrument around. For Laura Ingalls, it was Pa’s fiddle, and for many other families it was a piano. If you’re lucky enough to have someone in your household who can play, enjoy the enchantment of the notes as you hum along. If you don’t, maybe you want to learn! We live in a time where there are lots of opportunities online to learn how to play. Or, sing some songs together! Singing was another pastime too.
Play a Board Game
Chess and checkers are just a couple of fun games that have been around for many years. My grandpa is one of the best checkers players I have ever met, and he talks about how he would go over to some bachelor neighbors of his nearly everyday to play with them. Playing board games with family members can be a fun way to bond and chat while spending valuable time together.
Go for a Sleigh Ride
So most of us don’t have a horse and sleigh just at our houses these days, but sleigh rides were a really popular Sunday afternoon activity, especially for courting couples in the late 1800s. If this is an option for you, I’d suggest you try it! If not, we can use some modern upgrades to go for a ride on a snowmobile or even choosing to pull your children in a sled around the yard.
Go on a Moonlight Hike
A full moon shining on the snow can make for a bright and beautiful night. Dress in your warm clothes and head out to an open field to walk around and gaze at the stars, or feel the magic as you ice skate on a (safe) fresh sheet of ice. Times like these are sure to make lasting impressions on you and your family. And just think of how romantic it could be if you’re looking for a date night idea!
Read Together
Many families didn’t own many books, but of the ones they did, the pages were well worn with use. Take the time to read a book aloud as a family or grab out the family bible, like many pioneers did, and do some study together.
Create Something
Picking up a hobby like sewing, crocheting, or knitting can make for a productive evening activity. During the olden days, women would spend their evenings mending clothes, children might create patchwork quilts or whittle, fathers might work on creating bullets or other tools for their homestead. Like them, you might also consider creating something practical and useful like a handmade quilt or a crocheted scarf. You might even consider making homemade Christmas cards or writing letters to loved ones- everyone likes to get personal and physical mail!
Share Stories
Learning a little more about your loved ones through stories is a wonderful way to share memories and pass the time. Just the fact that you’re engaging in conversation with one another, rather than immersed in your own entertainment is hugely beneficial if you ask me. Pioneers would sit on the edge of their seats listening to stories from long ago being told. I, for one, would love to have been able to hear them too.
So, how will you spend your winter in Wisconsin?
There are lots of ideas and ways to spend your winter in Wisconsin using old-fashioned ideas. Our pioneering ancestors knew a lot about ways to entertain themselves- much better than we do today as we depend so heavily on technology to keep us occupied. If you’re looking for some wholesome, family-friendly activities to draw everyone closer together, try out some of these ideas this winter.
Don’t forget to save this for later!
Want to start homesteading but not sure where to begin?
Read this post to learn more about how you can start your own homestead from the ground up, starting with the foundation of your mind.
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