Relive 'Christmas in the Fabulous 1950s' at Naper Settlement
Explore midcentury modern traditions and fun fads in Naper Settlement's holiday-themed, post-World War II exhibit "Home for the Holidays: Christmas in the Fabulous 1950s."
The temporary exhibit highlights a time when the U.S. government began tracking Santa Claus' sleigh via radar, aluminum trees were the latest trend, and Napervillians started to adorn their homes with plastic decorations.
The "Home for the Holidays: Christmas in the Fabulous 1950s" exhibition can be viewed during winter museum hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays beginning Tuesday, Nov. 14, and continuing to Sunday, Dec. 24. Admission during Christkindlmarket is free. Visit napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010 for information.
"Working with our community to develop exhibits is the wave of the future for museums. These partnerships, relationships and collaborations (are) our mantra for creating our in-house experiences," said Lance Tawzer, Naper Settlement's director of innovation and experience.
"We are so fortunate to have such wonderful partners putting this exhibit together. Our staff feeds off the enthusiasm that is generated by people like Gary and Ginger Fry, who are very passionate about collecting the history of Christmas. Patrons will see the amount of care for this subject in the meticulous nature of the arrangement of artifacts and materials."
After overcoming the Great Depression and World War II, Americans experienced an economic boom that transformed the way they celebrated the holidays. Displays, stories and antique items will give visitors an insight into what the holidays were like during the "baby boom," and how the focus shifted to children due to an increase in income and the ensuing abundance of toys.
In Naperville, the biggest promotion of the decade took place on Nov. 28, 1959, when downtown merchants and the Naperville Sun newspaper sponsored a Santa parade, followed by a free children's matinee of cartoons at the Naper Theatre while parents shopped.
In addition to Santa Claus, the parade featured horses, bands and vintage cars, but the most unusual entry was the 41-foot-long Nike Hercules nuclear missile from the U.S. Army installation in Naperville.
Designed to knock out weapons launched by Soviet bombers, these missiles were located in various sites across the United States, which included Naperville. Jennifer Bridge, curator of exhibits and interpretation, came across the image when researching and was initially caught off guard, but said it made more sense in the context of the Cold War. A photograph of the missile will be on display, as well as many other photos of the parade.
Throughout the exhibit, visitors will learn about Marshall Fields' holiday display windows and their characters, Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly, and how Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer grew in popularity. The Naperville Jaycees' annual holiday lighting contest also will be explored; 21 homeowners entered in its first year.
The exhibit will have toys, Christmas cards, children's books and popular music on display, loaned from members of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past, a nonprofit organization focusing on the education and history of antique and vintage Christmas items.
Gary and Ginger Fry, Naperville residents and members of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past, have loaned their favorite Christmas books and a variety of stockings, and helped to re-create a typical 1950s living room with their stainless steel Christmas tree and revolving color wheel.
"Our '50s room and silver tree will provide a backdrop for your own family photo," Ginger Fry said. "Adults can take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce with their children or grandchildren about Christmas in the fantastic '50s."
In addition to enjoying the 1950s exhibit, visitors can purchase an annual souvenir mug to be filled with hot cider at the Naper Settlement booth while experiencing the Christkindlmarket Naperville on the settlement grounds.
Other family-friendly programs offered this season include Santa @ The Settlement, Victorian Holiday Traditions, History Speaks Lecture Series: An Old-Fashioned Christmas, and the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise's Naper Lights.
To learn more, visit napersettlement.org
If you go
What: "Home for the Holidays: Christmas in the Fabulous 1950s"
When: Tuesday, Nov. 14, to Sunday, Dec. 24
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Cost: Free admission during Chriskindlmarket hours
Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org