Schaumburg event recalls holidays at Marshall Field and Co.

The audience smiled and laughed Sunday as they listened to author Leslie Goddard discuss holiday moments during her lecture "Remembering Marshall Field's at Christmas" to a sold-out crowd at Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg. Goddard explored the store's history, from its beginnings in 1852 to when it was sold to Macy's in 2005.

"What I found as I was talking to people, that more and more what they remember about Marshall Field's is Marshall Field's at Christmas," said the Darien resident. "It's a powerful memory. I constantly have people who tell me about going to see Santa Claus at Marshall Field's in the '30s, '40s, '50s and '60s all the way up through there."

Marshall Field and Co. was considered Chicago's leading department store for more than 150 years.

The lecture included photographs, ads, postcards and memorabilia looking back at the memorable window displays, the legendary Walnut Room Christmas tree and the delectable Frango Mints.