Exhibit Curated and Digitized by Angelica Walker
Christmas is filled with many traditions and memories in Lynchburg. For some, it represents the birth of Jesus Christ. For others, it is associated with the legend of Saint Nicholas, commonly known as Santa Claus. Popular customs and traditions surrounding Christmas are exchanging gifts, decorating a Christmas tree, sharing meals and time with friends and family, or attending church services and parades. Christmas Day became a federal holiday in the United States in 1870 ensuring its continual celebration annually on December 25th.
Christmas has been celebrated in Lynchburg since its founding in 1786. Some colonies and settlements that were loyal to British rule did not celebrate it. After religious reforms in Europe changed the way some people viewed Christmas, the celebration of the holiday was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Meanwhile, Jamestown and the surrounding Virginia settlements made sure that Christmas was celebrated statewide.
In the 20th century, gifts such as toys, books, and jewelry were all sold in Lynchburg’s iconic Main Street department stores, such as Leggett’s and Guggenheimers, which were the place to be when it came to Christmas in Lynchburg. Photos of Leggett’s Christmas display windows show how lively and festive window displays were during the holiday season. There were multiple window displays to cater to almost every customer and their holiday lists.
Christmas in Lynchburg often invokes great nostalgia from the residents. This exhibit showcases the way Christmas has been celebrated throughout Lynchburg’s history.
Photographs of Christmas Displays and Parades
This photo shows what an advertisement for Leggett’s Department Store in downtown Lynchburg looked like at Christmas time in the 1960s.
c. mid-20th century, 2013.43.12, Gift of Richard Ayres
This photo shows what a window display for Leggett’s Department Store in downtown Lynchburg looked like at Christmas time in the 1960s.
c. mid-20th century, 2013.43.9, Gift of Richard Ayres
This photo displays a float, sponsored by Leggett’s Department Store, in the Lynchburg Christmas Parade in downtown Lynchburg looked like at Christmas time in the 1960s.
c. mid-20th century, Gift of Richard Ayres, 2013.43.15
This photo displays the Christmas display on top of the Leggett’s Department Store in downtown Lynchburg during the 1960s.
c. mid-20th century, 2013.43.06, Gift of Richard Ayres
Leggett’s Department Store Santa
This life-sized Santa Claus once stood above the entrance of the Lynchburg Leggett’s Department Store on Main Street. He waved at shoppers from his sleigh, pulled by eight animatronic reindeer, as seen in the accompanying photograph.
Santa is one of the well-known symbols that people associate with Christmas. The legend is that he takes his sleigh all over the world on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to children. He has a naughty and nice list to determine which children will receive the best gifts. Known by many other names, Santa Claus is based on the story of Saint Nicholas, who was a monk born in Turkey c. 280 A.D.
c. mid-20th century, Gift of Tom and Marilyn Jenkins, 2013.13.1
Hand Drawn Christmas Cards
Christmas Card, 1963
Gift from the Estate of Thomas Leachman, 2014.77.28
These cards are prints of hand-drawn illustrations by Tom Leachman. Each one is unique and copies of them were sold throughout the Christmas season in Lynchburg.
Christmas Card, 1993
Gift from the Estate of Thomas Leachman, 2014.77.57
These cards are prints of hand-drawn illustrations by Tom Leachman. Each one is unique and copies of them were sold throughout the Christmas season in Lynchburg
Christmas Card, 1942
Gift from the Estate of Thomas Leachman, 2014.77.07
These cards are prints of hand-drawn illustrations by Tom Leachman. Each one is unique and copies of them were sold throughout the Christmas season in Lynchburg.
Toys
Jack-in-the-Box c. 1900
Jack-in-the-box toys date all the way back to the 14th century. It is a wooden box that can be wound until a “jack” or jester springs from the box. This jack in the box is c. 1900 and is from Germany, the place where the toy originated. It is made of plastic, wood, and crepe paper showing just how innovative and resourceful people were to create toys and experiences for their children. A Jack-in-the-box was a common toy children would get for Christmas as it was both entertaining and a keepsake.
Gift of Mrs. William Wilson, 93.7.2
WWI toy soldiers, 1918
Both World Wars had a great effect on Christmas, impacting not only how it was celebrated but also the toys invented. These toy soldiers are crafted in the likenesses of WWI soldiers.
Gift of the Lynchburg Historical Society and Museum, 74.143
Toy Trucks
The company of Coca-Cola has uniquely branded itself with iconic commercials surrounding the Christmas holiday. Whether it is Santa drinking a Coke or arctic animals such as penguins and polar bears enjoying the soda from a glass bottle, these commercials are now Christmas marketing staples. Trucks like these could be seen on parade routes across the United States. Specifically, you can see at least one fire truck along the parade route here in Lynchburg.
c. 1940’s, Gift of Shirley Lewis, 2009.40.3
Toy Trucks
Firetrucks like this one could be seen on Christmas parade routes across the United States. Specifically, you can see at least one L.F.D. fire truck along the parade route here in Lynchburg.
c. 1940’s, Gift of Shirley Lewis, 2009.40.1
Christmas Stories
Book of Christmas Stories
“Uncle Pompey’s Christmas and Other Dialect Stories” were written and published in Lynchburg, VA. Jennie Owen Latham Stabler, whose pen name was Jennie Woodville, wrote these short stories surrounding Christmas. The book was published by the J. Bell publishing company based in Lynchburg. While the first story is a Christmas tale, the rest are based on Jennie’s life and experiences in the South.
c. 1875, Gift of E.L. Carrington, 74.184.48