Yankee Candle Company
South Deerfield , MA
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You could get lost for hours in this place, smelling candles, gazing at Christmas villages, watching the mechanical musicians or Santa's workshop, or shopping not only for candles, but all your Christmas gifts as well.

Our favorite part, though, was the demonstration of Colonial candlemaking. We learned about tallow and bayberries and beeswax and gained a real appreciation for the modern convenience of electricity.

We also got quite an education on the history of candlemaking, starting way back in ancient Egypt.

Click here for the History of Candlemaking.
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Harrison compares the size of the candles to the number of times they were dipped. "This row of candles shows how many dips it takes to make a candle. These candles were dipped 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 times. A farm family would make a year's worth of candles on racks like these after the fall butchering of their cows and sheep. The fat, called tallow, was melted and wicks made from wool yarn were dipped in it. Tallows candles burned fast (30 minutes) and smelled bad. The wicks had to be trimmed every 10 minutes or they would go out."

Making Hand-Dipped Candles (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, A-192)
by Betty Oppenheimer

Candles made from bayberries smell good and burn much longer than tallow candles. But it takes a lot of work to make them. The tiny, bead-like seeds are difficult to gather, and they have to be boiled for hours to release their wax, which is collected and strained. It takes 15 pounds of bayberries to make only 1 pound of wax! The Pilgrims had a saying about burning these candles during the new year holiday: "A bayberry candle burnt to the socket, brings luck to the house, food to the larder and gold to the pocket." We bought some hand-dipped bayberry candles to light on New Year's Eve and burn into the new millennium.

This functioning Chandler's Shop shows what life was like in the candlemaking business. Nicknamed "America's first utility", the Chandler ran an important trade for the community in which he worked. Methods were invented that made is possible to produce a large quantity of candles at once. But bayberry and beeswax candles were expensive and only churches and the wealthy could afford them.

  

The Yankee Candle Company was started in the basement of Mike Kittredge, then only 16 years old. This exhibit shows the old stove and pots and pans he used to make homemade candles before moving into a remodeled mill, and eventually a modern factory.

Making Candles (Kids Can Do It)
by Judy Ann Sadler, Tracy Walker (Illustrator)

Amanda and Harrison tried their hands at dipping her own candles (just the outer color).

"I thought it was fun because I got to chose my own colors on each candle, so they didn't have to be the same color. I wanted candles to use in the little candle holder I bought at Fort Ticonderoga."

The Yankee Candle store is a kid's wonderland of mechanical entertainers and displays. Amanda said, "These guys played really good music, even though they weren't real."
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Mike Kittredge, Entrepreneur

The idea of a desperate 16-year-old in search of a cheap Christmas gift for his mother turned into a 1,200 employee business that makes millions.

Mike Kittredge made his first candle in 1969 out of old crayons and a milk carton. Intended for his mom but admired by a neighbor, Mike sold it and bought enough wax to make two candles: one for his mother and one to sell. He had entered the world of the entrepreneur.

In 1973, Mike moved his candlemaking (which had taken over the family basement and garage) into an old mill, and within three years, had added 30 employees. With continued growth, he was able to open a 2,000 square foot store and 30,000 square foot factory in 1983. These have both been expanded over the years and the store is now an 80,000 square foot tourist destination. Growth continues as an increasing number of retail stores spreads throughout New England and the U.S.

Naturally Creative Candles : Discover the Craft of Candle Making and Decorating Using Nature's Bounty
by Letty Oates

Trip Tips

We were disappointed that the candle making factory didn't give tours. The retail outlet is very commercial, though there is a lot to see, if you can keep a tight hold on your wallet. We highly recommend the candle dipping demonstration.
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For Younger Readers

For Older Readers
Making Candles (Kids Can Do It)
by Judy Ann Sadler, Tracy Walker (Illustrator)
 
 

Amazon.com Find more books about Candle Making
Fragrant Candles: A Practical Guide to Making Candles for the Home & Garden (Milner Craft Series)
by Rhondda Cleary

The Encyclopedia of Candlemaking Techniques : A Step-By-Step Visual Guide
by Sandie Lea, Sue Heaser

 

 

 

Making Candles & Potpourri: Illuminate and Infuse Your Home
by Catherine Bardey, Zeva Oelbaum (Photographer)

 

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