Witchy Winter: Hearth & History

Step into the long nights of winter and explore how the season has shaped both folklore and the American story. As we prepare for America250 in 2026, we’ll look at the ways people in early America—and the cultures that influenced them—faced the dark months: the myths they told, the remedies they trusted, and the rituals they used to endure and celebrate winter’s turning point. 

Explore the medicinal and magical properties of winter herbs, and uncover how plants such as rosemary, juniper, and sage traveled across oceans, bringing traditions of healing and symbolism that became woven into the lives of Revolutionary-era Americans. 

Then, create your own Needle & Thread Intention Square—a small hand-stitched keepsake inspired by 18th-century sewing traditions, infused with your hopes for the season. As generations before us did, stitch symbols, initials, or designs that will keep your intentions close through the winter months. Enjoy a hot beverage as we blend hearth magic, history, and heritage. 

This program is brought to you, in part, by genealogy funding through the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the Gen. Levi Casey Chapter, NSDAR.