Away in a Manger

From John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"This manger scene is for Whitworth college. No other information is available." -- Library caption.

On closer inspection, I cannot tell for certain if they actually used men to portray the Wise Men or whether these are female students wearing fake beards, which was the case in other theatrical productions at the college when it was an all-girls' school.

All Merry and Bright ...

From the John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"This is a copy of five children at Christmas time. The only information available is that (it) was printed for the Daily Leader in 2003." -- Library caption

My guess this is from the 1950s.  Recognize anyone?

Post War Taffeta and Oh Tannenbaum

John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"Four young ladies are decorating a Christmas tree. They are standing on a stage at Whitworth College. No other information is available." -- Library caption

Given the history of the college and other photos from this era, I suspect this is from 1948 or 1949.  

I like this photo because it captures traditions that I remember well -- fancy dresses and longleaf pine Christmas trees, cut down from a trek into the woods, without regard to shape or ideal form. 

I can fondly remember in the early 1960s trudging through the Kinchloe's acreage next door and hiking with my family down to an area past what is now Brookway Boulevard to find a small tree for our living room.   

It was early and unusually cold. Jackfrost was everywhere, bowing the broom sage to the ground, and we could see our breath with every step.  Momma spied a "perfect" tree, and Daddy took his hatchet and chopped down a young pine not unlike this one. 

My little dog Boots, half Feist, half Chihuahua, could not fathom what we were doing.

We dragged our perfect tree back -- Boots chasing after -- and we set it up in our living room, complete with the old torpedo multi-colored lights, silvery tinsel and our heirloom ornaments.

I must mention that this was the first year of The Cat.  No sooner had the tree settled, my young Tuxedo, Sylvester, crooked his tail, zoomed up the trunk, and crashed the perfect tree to the floor.  

His antic broke just about every ornament we had -- including the old ones with paper tops from World War II.

The following year, we got on board with the rest of the country and bought an aluminum tree with a color wheel, a trend that lasted until the mid to late 1960s, when A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree aired and helped return live trees to America's homes. 
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As always, if you recognize anyone in the photo, please leave word here or on my Facebook page.

Christmas Cheer in 1938

John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"Leslie Guiser Family, 1938

"The Guiser family Christmas celebration of 1938 was identified in The Daily Leader. Standing around a food-laden table are (l-r): ___ Haywood, Clara L. Guiser, Genoa Sartin Sr., Nannie Jackson, Elizabeth Guiser, Ulysses Guiser and Wille Mae McDaniel Guiser. Seated is Leslie Guiser Sr." -- LLF Library caption.

This picture makes me smile because I sense genuine happiness, at least on most of their faces.

If anyone knows these folks or of them, please feel free to comment here or on my Facebook page. 

An Early Christmas Sweater

From the John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

Proof positive that Christmas Sweaters date back at least to 1945, and, possibly much earlier.  A Google search of "Christmas sweaters history" takes us to the latest trend -- "Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties," but no real indication of how long ago Christmas-themed sweaters might have begun. 

These photos at least give us a glimpse into the past -- the date is recorded as 12/20/1945 and the young man's name is Dave Davis.  It's just my humble opinion, but I don't think this sweater is ugly, do you?

As always, if any of you recognize this young man (who would be in his 80s today) or have additional information about him or the history of Christmas sweaters, for that matter, please feel free to post here or on my Facebook page.

Party Balloons! 1957 Christmas Float

John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

From the Library: Young ladies on float for a day-time Christmas parade. One lady may be 
Ann Atkinson. Date 12/21/1957.

Recognize anyone?  If so, please leave a message here or on my Facebook page.

The Annual Third Graders' Christmas Pageant

John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

Most likely a copy made for a customer.  The quality is such that it is difficult to recognize faces or determine a date, although the hair styles on the women and girls point to the 1950s.