Traditions exhibit touches on global cultures

Tradition at Christmas very often includes brightly shining trees adorning homes and businesses alike.

The Touching on Traditions display, hosted by the Elgin Public Museum has trees from over 25 different cultures.

But that's not all. There are 62 displays currently at the Lords Park Pavilion from various cultures -- including the trees -- to reflect the diverse traditions of the Elgin area.

According to Peggie Stromberg, the museum's executive director, Jane Roll, a gifted academy teacher at Elgin High School, started the holiday mainstay in 1986.

That year a notice was presented to community families willing to provide an example of the holiday celebration native to their country of origin. The response was small, but significant.

"We began with a display of about 10 Christmas trees from various countries at the Hemmens Auditorium," said Stromberg.

The display outgrew the confines of the Hemmens in the mid-90s, and was moved to the Lords Park Pavilion where it remains today.

"The museum purchases or loans, or families donate items that were used," Stromberg continued.

"We set up all the tables and the trees, and then we have a family night where all the families and helpers come in and do all the decorating."

All participating families then share in an international feast.

"People bring the foods from their country," said Stromberg.

The exhibition doesn't confine itself to Christmas celebrations.

Families volunteer to provide an example of the holiday celebration native to their country of origin.

"We have a lot of things from countries that are not Christian," explained Stromberg.

"This has always been about 'cultural,' not Christmas."

These exhibits include a great variety of items, such as monk's robes from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), a statue of Buddha from Cambodia, and a Quran and prayer rug from Pakistan.

The displays of rich cultural and religious traditions from around the world include examples of celebrations among Christians of various countries, of course.

"We have a display from Guatemala which is my personal favorite," said Stromberg.

"It's a little Guatemalan village, complete with little people and little animals and everything that tells the Christmas story. People in Guatemala will dress up as Joseph and Mary, and go from house to house asking for shelter," she continued.

"Finally on Christmas Eve, someone allows them to stay."

Tours are available and programs presented by appointment and will be attended by between 2,500 and 3,000 schoolchildren this year.

"We're trying to get across to the children about the diversity of the people near their homes, that quite a few of the children came from somewhere else -- or their parents did," Stromberg said.

The public is invited to book a tour or visit on their own.

"Each exhibit has a placard beside it that tells about the country, shows a map where it's located and discusses the holiday," Stromberg explained.

The museum is always seeking new contributors to widen the already inclusive event.

"Families come and go, they move in, they move out," Stromberg said.

"In the coming year I'll be looking for some new families to take over different areas and countries.

"If someone would like their custom or culture represented and we don't have it represented, I'd love to talk to them."

Aside from the educational value, Stromberg cites the reaction from the smaller set as her favorite.

"The children walk in that main door and see all those trees and lights, and it just lights up their whole face."

If you go

What: Touching on Traditions holiday display.

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22; noon-4 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. The event will close at 3 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, and is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Where: Lords Park Pavilion, Elgin

How much? $2 for adults, $1 for children

Info: Call (847) 741-6655 or visit www.elginpublicmuseum.org/index.htm