Today marks the opening of our 20th Annual Christmas Tree Exhibit. This year’s theme is “Ring Christmas Bells!” You will find around 50 uniquely decorated trees throughout the museum. One that I guarantee you will not find anywhere else is the “Immigration Tree.”

The ornaments on the tree have the names of the 1839 immigrants to East Perry County, including those who were lost at sea on the Amalia.

The tradition of the Christmas tree is often associated with Martin Luther. The story goes that Luther is credited with being the first to add candles to a tree, which helped popularize the practice.

According to the legend, one winter evening Luther was walking home and was struck by the beauty of the stars shining through the trees. Inspired by the sight, he is said to have brought a tree indoors and decorated it with candles to replicate the effect of the twinkling stars, symbolizing the light of Christ.

While there is no definitive historical evidence to prove that Luther was the first to decorate a Christmas tree with candles, the story is widely told and has contributed to the association between Martin Luther and the Christmas tree tradition. The practice of decorating trees spread throughout Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries and eventually became common in other parts of Europe and the United States.

We’re hosting a school group today as well, so my time is limited. I’ll leave you with some Christmas tree trivia:

• In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, in Germany, people used to hang their Christmas trees from the ceilings in their homes.
• ‘Christmas tree’ was first officially used in English in 1835.
• Artificial trees began in Germany during the 19^th century from Goose feathers which were dyed green.
• Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
• The much-disputed title for the tallest living Christmas tree likely goes to an allegedly 160-foot Sitka Spruce in Ferndale, California.
• Christmas trees generally take six to eight years to mature.
• Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
• Ninety-eight percent of all natural Christmas trees are grown on farms.
• Thomas Edison’s assistants came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees.
• Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, is often credited with bringing the Christmas tree tradition to the White House in the early 1850s.
• In 1912, what were likely the first major community Christmas trees in the United States were erected in Boston, New York City and Hartford, Conn.
• In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White House lawn.
• In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lit until December 22nd because of a national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
• In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.

The trees will be up until January 15th. We are open daily 10:00 – 4:00; admission is free. See you soon!