The ABCs of Lowell History is back for another round. This popular series explores a wide variety of topics in Lowell area history in weekly online articles and is written by volunteers and staff from the Lowell Area Historical Museum.
A Lowell Christmas, 1872
The holiday season for many is a time to gather together. The citizens of Lowell in 1872 were no different. The Lowell Weekly Journal captured the many activities happening throughout the week of Christmas that year.
On the evening of Friday, December 20th E. A. Chapman, local photographer, hosted an “entertainment” at Music Hall. The description in the newspaper said,
“Photographic images, large and real as life, appear in rapid succession before an audience for over two hours. One hundred illustrations and representations of the most marvelous description, more beautiful than any painting can be made.
The profoundest mysteries of Science illustrated so that a child can comprehend them at a glance. Natural Scenery, Distinguished Individuals, Cities, Buildings Etc. appear so that the objects themselves seem to be present in all the freshness and vigor of life…
The “Sciopticon” is a recent invention and takes the places of the old Magic Lantern, and by a new application of Photography, the most brilliante entertainment can be given that was ever presented to an audience.”
For admission to this evening of marvel, Chapman charged adults 25 cents and children 15 cents.
This black and white photograph of a young couple with man holding infant has Chapman’s logo on the reverse side. Handwritten in ink, it says “Sarah Stinton, Hiram and Zoa Gregory Nicklin.” It is dated c. 1878
On Monday, December 23, 1872 Leavitt’s Swiss Bell Ringers presented a concert that included chorouses, duettes, solos, comic songs, string band music and selections on the “Swiss Bells” said to be the finest in America.
Tuesday saw the Baptist society celebrating Christmas Evening at Music Hall. Their event included recitations, music and other interesting exercises. “The exercises at the supper table will be among the “interesting.”
A “Grand Christmas Gift Dance” was advertised to be held at the Music Hall on Wednesday, December 25th. It was described as:
“There will be a “Grand Christmas Gift Dance. Morrels’ String and Brass Band are the getters up of the party, and to make it interesting they have provided for the distribution of several gifts, the principal one being a lady’s gold watch worth $45.00. Smaller gifts for every number. Tickets to dance $1.50 which entitles the holder to an equal chance for gifts. The drawing will come off at 10:30pm. The watch is as represented, a good, gold lever, and can be seen at C. G. Stone’s store.”
In addition to gatherings, shopping was advertised locally.
Somerby & Hall advertised their extensive selection of Christmas gifts.
“This enterprising firm is on hand with a full stock of goods for the holidays. To enumerate the different Varieties to be found at the Variety Store, would require a “supplement to the JOURNAL.” One would think from the appearance of the shelves, counters and show front, that old Santa Claus had emptied his load there and started after more goods.
We look around, and our eye rests upon (hands off when the bosses are around) those beautiful cases of all kinds and colors. Wine and cigar sets, beautiful but not costly; china dishes for the little folks, handsome enough for a wedding outfit, and in great variety. Handkerchief boxes, ornamental and useful. Albums, rich, durable and cheap, and those card cases; here is where the young man strops and longs for a spare three or four dollars to get one for his “swee-tart,” and that new jewelry; most any young lady would call her fellow a “jewel” if he would buy her a set; or if he would buy her one of those beautiful writing desks, she would promise to write to him three times a week (and break her promise every time). Next come a thousand and one varieties of toys for the children, beginning with those German silver knives and forks and going through the long category of inventions down to a two cent whistle.”
Here’s a Christmas dinner from 1907 at Orton and Adella Hill home. Identified as: Marion Hill Nixon, Ralph Nixon, Mary Adella Hoag Hill, Florence Hill Conklin, Hazel Hoag, Isadore Parker Hoag-mother of Hazel, Josephine Hall-daughter of Wm. & Clara Hall, Ed Hoag-father of Hazel, Susan Rosette Hoag Hall, Orton Hill, Will Hall, Clara Hall, Photograph taken by Artimus Hoag Hill.
Fast forward and here is Evelyn Ruth and Ellery Buell Davis on 1/1/1918. “Sonnie is holding the little engine Aunt Jessie gave him for Christmas and of which he was very proud.”
Lowell today continues to gather and celebrate with a parade, Santa visits on the Showboat, downtown shopping and more. However you spend your holidays, the Lowell Area Historical Musuem wishes you well and thanks you for your support in 2023.
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