A Very Merry Christmas Tree Through American History
A Smithsonian sketch traces the Christmas tree from colonial bans in Massachusetts to German and Dutch roots in Pennsylvania, then expanding coast to coast. It notes early American displays, cookie ornaments, the first glass tree balls, and presidential practices from Jackson to Roosevelt.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Massachusetts
Boston
Pennsylvania
Penn
Harriet Martineau
Charles Follen
Harvard
New England
Vicksburg
Miss
Jefferson Davis
Mahala Eggleston
William Brewer
California
San Francisco
New York
William de Muth
Franklin Pierce
White House
Andrew Jackson
Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy
New York Times
Archie
Gifford Pinchot
Hyde Park
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Personal memories color Christmas trees through the years
The piece surveys famous figures and ordinary families sharing cherished tree ornaments and memories. It notes James Clemens’ 1897 Klondike gold nugget display, then lists Nora Mondale, Nancy Reagan, Joan Mondale, and others valuing handmade keepsakes, angels, or symbolic items, and ends with Cecil Andrus recalling his Korea homecoming ornament.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Clements
Klondike
Pennsylvania
Nancy Reagan
America
Joan Mondale
Stanley
Charles Dickens
Robert Redford
Cecil Andrus
Carol
Korea
Southern Illinois pheasant hunting upsurge boosts regional trips
Despite high fuel costs and farmland growth, Southern Illinois reports rising pheasant activity with eight state areas including Rend Lake and Carlyle Lake. The Rend Lake hunt drew 117 hunters. a typical day ends with eight minutes beyond 9 am. The season closes at Bend Lake this year, with next year’s permits to be ordered in advance. Goose and rabbit quotas shift through the holidays as waterfowl and upland seasons progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois
Department of Conservation
Rend Lake
Carlyle Lake
Southern Illinois
Bend Lake
Grateful tribute to Carbondale Mobile Homes Park staff
A resident recalls how Dan Parrish and park managers showed exceptional care after July 1980 winds destroyed homes at Carbondale Mobile Homes Park. Office staff offered shelter and meals, then the park provided security and aid, earning lasting gratitude and respect.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale Mobile Homes Park
Dan Parrish
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ink
Mr. Goodridge
York
Goodridge
Philadelphia Street
Uncle Sam
Pennsylvania Dutch County
Philadelphia
Saturday Evening Post
Kriss Kringle
Santa Claus
Marcus
Neiman-Marcus
Shirley Verrett
Tracy Austin
Austin
Paul Winfield
New York City Opera
Beverly Sills
Frank Mankiewicz
National Public Radio
Roberta Peters
Israel
Superman
Christopher Reeves
Mike Estes
The
Southern Illinoisan
Rend Lake Pheasant
Grand Tower
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!