Christmas Tree In America History
Christmas trees decorated trees date back to germany in the middle ages with german and other european settlers popularizing christmas trees in america by the early 19th century.
Christmas tree in america history. The germans are credited with starting the christmas tree tradition in the 16th century. However the christmas tree tradition wasn t widely adopted in the united states until much later. Typically you ll see what s called a tree in a tub that is decorated with whimsies like gold stars cornucopia and surrounded by a few toys says cathcart.
History of the american christmas tree. The custom was developed in medieval livonia present day estonia and latvia and in early modern germany where protestant germans brought decorated trees into their homes. The christmas tree lot was born.
A newspaper report described an interesting festival a christmas tree which was viewed in concord massachusetts on christmas eve 1853. The story of christmas trees in america usually takes us down the path of hessian soldiers who showcased christmas trees to george washington s troops during his famous christmas trek across the delaware. Historians explain that christmas trees found their popularity in pennsylvania over the ensuing 60 years in america as german settlers made them a permanent part of the american christmas tradition.
As the 19th century progressed. Five years later president franklin pierce erected the first christmas tree in the white house. The victorian tree was decorated with toys and small gifts candles candies popcorn strings and fancy cakes hung from the branches by ribbons and by paper chains.
The christmas tree of queen victoria and prince albert became known in america in the late 1840s and in the 1850s reports of christmas trees began appearing in american newspapers. New england puritans believed christmas was sacred and celebrating the holiday with decorations was considered a mockery of faith.