December 14, 2018
You are reading “Our Past Is Present”
from the Geary County Historical Society.
As the 20th
century dawned in Junction City, there was great optimism and excitement about
what this new century would bring. The
ill-advised war with Spain was over and Geary County’s valiant sons in the 20th
Kansas had returned to a glorious heroes’ welcome. By 1905 a contract for new
electric street lights had been let and as Christmas approached in 1908, a
committee of citizens was picking out the locations for these marvelous new
wonders.
Christmas
entertainment included the traditional school programs and “Christmas Tree”
socials, live theatricals in the Opera House and the so-called new-fangled
motion pictures offered at the Lyric Theater were enjoyed by many.
Along with
the readings featured at every holiday gathering during the first decade of the
century, there was more often than not a performance on the violin. The interest in the violin most likely came
from the success and notoriety of J. Abbie Clarke.
Christmas
Eve or Christmas Night services were often held in local churches, which
featured a decorated tree with candy and gifts for the children, a program consisting
of recitations and the Nativity story.
These Christmas Tree Socials as they were called were part of the local
holiday scene as late as the 1950s.
If you or
your family has a tradition during this season, please share it with us at the
Museum by calling 238-1666 or stop by Tuesdays through Saturdays and visit with
our staff between the hours of 1 and 4 in the afternoon. And… thanks for reading to “Our Past Is
Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
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