Christmas Trees and Snow Villages from 100 Years Ago
With only a few days left until Christmas, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some photos from Lewis Reed’s collection that show us what Christmas trees used to look like 100 years ago. In those days, there was not wide-spread agreement on exactly what a tree should look like, which made for a lot of creativity. Not surprisingly, they were very different than the perfectly shaped tress we have on display today.
The trees were big back then and always fresh. They went right to the ceiling and were very wide. Early Christmas trees were generally fastened onto a flat board surrounded with fence-rails, snow villages and carpeted with cotton blankets of snow. The tree in the photo below has an abundance of tinsel, which grew in popularity to the point that, by the 1920s, it was common to nearly cover the tree in the decorative material.
So, what is tinsel (aka icicles) exactly? Originally made from strands of silver alloy, tinsel was in fact first used to decorate sculptures. It was only later that it became a Christmas tree decoration, employed to enhance the flickering of the candle flames. In the 1950s, tinsel became so popular that it was often used as a substitute for Christmas lights.
A small snow scene with what appears to be a miniature church is arranged at the foot of the Christmas tree. A popcorn garland adorns the tree. Photo by Lewis Reed
So, where did Washingtonians get their trees?
From The Evening Star, Washington, DC 23 December 1923:
Conduit Road on the long stretch between Glen Echo and Great Falls for many years has been a favorite hunting ground where hundreds and hundreds of families have customarily obtained scrub pine trees for Christmas week. Usually there is plenty of holly and some mistletoe to be found in the rugged and rolling hill lands which are the gateway to Great Falls.
No room for a star on the top of this tree! And just look at those big Santa and Angel dolls. Other fun little details are notable, including a miniature church with picket fence is arranged at the base of the tree. Photo by Lewis Reed
There’s a fine art to decorating Christmas trees that’s been developing since over 100 years ago. People consider lights, garland, ornaments, skirt, and more. But one thing that’s hard to resist sometimes is just filling every available space with decorations. Clearly, that was the case years ago too. What I like about these trees is that they are so randomly shaped and even misshapen. Folks back then didn’t trim them down to a more aesthetically pleasing symmetry like we do today.
The tradition of building miniature Christmas village landscapes, including houses, animals, and other hand-crafted wooden figures, began with the Pennsylvania Dutch in the late 1800s. Mass-produced cardboard houses, sold in dimestores, became popular in the mid-20th century. Today, these villages in good condition can be highly collectible.
Below are photos of Lewis Reed’s snow village set up under the Christmas tree decorated with vintage ornaments, tinsel, and lights. I don’t remember the odd-shaped Christmas trees, but I do remember having a lot of fun helping my grandfather set up the miniature landscapes with the varied figures, little houses, and trees at Christmastime each year. It seemed like a holiday village right out of a storybook.
A rustic picket fence is used to set off the village display. Dangling strands of tinsel hang below the tree. Photo by Lewis Reed
The snow villages were set up in Lewis Reed’s basement on top of a big table beneath a small Christmas tree. He made the snow scenes entirely by hand using wire-covered cardboard and balled up paper to make hills and pathways. The little houses and figurines would fit into the landscape with cotton ‘snow’ all around; and lights would be wired underneath.
Little houses, churches, fences, trees, and pathways were added to the scene. Some of the houses have charming light effects in the windows. The roofs of the houses were decorated with fake snow. Photo by Lewis Reed
These Christmas villages were precursors of the Holiday Villages that were made popular by Department 56 that you see today.
Old-fashioned lights can be seen on the tree, along with lit windows in the houses. The miniature houses usually had holes in the back or the bottom through which tiny lights were placed to provide illumination. Photo by Lewis Reed
Wishing all of you who have stopped in to visit a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season with friends and family!
Montgomery History Online Exhibit: Montgomery County, Then and Now
Montgomery County, Then and Now: Photography of Lewis Reed and Barry Gartner
Opened December 6, 2023
Curated by Jeanne Gartner and Sarah Hedlund
Montgomery County: Then and Now, offers a captivating visual journey through more than a century of local history, told through rare photographs by Lewis Reed and his grandson Barry Gartner. This site presents side-by-side comparisons of historic scenes photographed by Reed between 1900 and 1930 and contemporary color images recreated from those same vantage points by Gartner in 2023, illustrating the dramatic changes, and sometimes surprising continuities, in the landscape, infrastructure, and community life of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Visitors are invited to explore stories behind each image, discovering the evolving character of familiar places as trees mature, buildings disappear, roads shift, and horse-drawn buggies give way to automobiles. The exhibit also delves into the personal histories of its featured photographers: Lewis Reed, remembered for his pioneering photography before founding Reed Brothers Dodge in 1915, and Barry Gartner, a third-generation owner who honors his grandfather’s legacy through both automotive restoration and modern photography.
A unique feature of the exhibit is the interactive map links accompanying each photo pair, allowing viewers to pinpoint the exact locations where history meets the present moment. Through this dynamic blend of archival and modern visuals, Montgomery County: Then and Now deepens our appreciation for local heritage and the passage of time, connecting generations through the lens of two accomplished photographers dedicated to capturing the changing face of their community.
This online exhibit opened December 6, 2023, and is thoughtfully curated by Jeanne Gartner and Sarah Hedlund, providing rich historical context and insight into the fascinating process of recreating these historical photographs. The full exhibition is available online at https://sites.google.com/view/mocothenandnow/home
Lewis Reed Photos Featured on WETA’s “If You Lived Here” Rockville
Several of Lewis Reed’s photos were featured on a historical segment of “If You Lived Here” series on Rockville that aired on December 4, 2023 on WETA. While in Rockville, viewers learn about the history of Rockville, Maryland and the town’s transformation after World War II. The post-war era brought about a wave of growth and change.
This video is part of WETA’s house-hunting “If You Lived Here” series, which spotlights a wide array of neighborhoods and properties throughout the national capital area while celebrating each area’s history, culture, notable places and flavor. Hosts, best friends and longtime Washingtonians Christine Louise and John Begeny tour homes and communities with local realtors, exploring the D.C. Metro region one neighborhood at a time.
The following photos are screenshots of Lewis Reed’s photographs that appeared in the video. (click any image to view photo gallery)
Lewis Reed (at left) using a tripod and five-by-four box camera to shoot photos of an arriving B&O train near Germantown in 1913
Rockville B&O Railroad Station pictured here at the turn of the century.
Rockville Trolley car #596, 1908
Tenallytown and Rockville Pike Trolley Line, 1910
The “If You Lived Here” series is now WETA PBS’ most popular local show ever produced. Follow the link to watch the video of Episode 16 of Season 3 on WETA/PBS series, “If You Lived Here” Rockville.
What Halloween Looked Like 100 Years Ago
With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to feature a special post how families celebrated Halloween 100 years ago. Thanks to the these photographs from Lewis Reed’s collection, we can travel all the way back to 1914.
At the turn of the century, women often wore their regular clothes topped with homemade masks. The first Halloween costumes were usually worn by women and reflected the idea of masquerades that was extremely popular in the early 1900s. People only began to buy manufactured costumes in the second and third decades of the 20th century.
Halloween, ca. 1914. These women are holding homemade Halloween masks for their upcoming celebration. Photo by Lewis Reed
Oh the good ol’ days, when wearing a mask was enough to be dressed up for celebrations! Do you know how your ancestors’ celebrated Halloween? Newspapers are a great source to get a better understanding of life in the past. This special post is a look back through newspaper articles and Lewis Reed’s photographs at how Halloween was celebrated 100 years ago.
Stocked Stores: Stores were stocked with all the Halloween supplies needed for a fun celebration. Below is an ad for costumes and masquerade suits for those participating in Halloween parties and other seasonal affairs.
The Washington Post, 30 October 1916
Dancing and Parties: Halloween parties and dancing were enjoyed by many. Some announcements even included a list of guests in attendance!
The Baltimore Sun, Nov 3, 1912
Here is the description of a Halloween party from the Society Section of the November, 1916 issue of The Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia):
A Halloween party was given last evening… and a merry evening spent by those present. The reception hall, living and dining rooms were artistically decorated with autumn leaves, lanterns, chrysanthemums and orange and black streamers. The evening was spent in old-fashioned games, concluding with the entire assemblage gathering about an open fireplace in the dark, while the guests were led by a ghost through various parts of the darkened home. The evening’s entertainment concluded with music, dancing and the serving of refreshments.
This photo captures a moment from a Halloween party over 100 years ago and is equal parts amusing and creepy. Photo by Lewis Reed
Any sort of Halloween festivities demanded some sort of refreshment. In addition to traditional pumpkin pies and molasses cookies, a suggested dish to serve at Halloween parties was a Halloween salad.
The Evening Star, October 24, 1915
Halloween Pranks: Witches and goblins, ghosts and mischief-making youngsters were permitted to enjoy all the Halloween revelry they liked … BUT DON’T THROW FLOUR. Yes, apparently in the early 1900s, there wasn’t much to do for entertainment, so kids would knock on doors on Halloween night and throw flour at whoever answered. To the modern observer, some of the traditions of Halloween 100 years ago are downright bizarre.
The Evening Star, October 31, 1916
Halloween Parades: Halloween parades actually began because pranks and mischief had gotten out of control. By 1920, there was a push to turn Halloween into a holiday centered around community gatherings and festive Halloween parades, rather than mischief.
There is something undeniably creepy about this clown in sunglasses riding on a horse in a Halloween Parade. Location is unknown. Photo by Lewis Reed
Wishing all my friends, followers, and visitors of this blog a very safe and happy Halloween!
Front-of-the-House Photography of the Early 20th Century
Get the kids, the horses, the cats and dogs, buggies and tractors. Lewis Reed is here, and it’s time to gather in front of the house for a family picture!
Front-of-the-house family photographs were popular from the 1880s through the first decade of the 20th century. Until the early 1900s, people went to the photographer’s studio in town to get a picture, a “likeness” as they sometimes called it. But soon after, the reverse was possible: the photographer sometimes came to the family house to take a picture (and yes, a single picture!).
In the early 1900s, families rarely took their own photographs. Most people would never even consider owning a camera, which then was an expensive and complicated piece of equipment. If they wanted a picture of their family or their home, they called on a photographer like Lewis Reed to take it for them.
Below are some houses on which Lewis Reed trained his lens in the first decade of the 1900s–some identified, some not–but all a fascinating glimpse into the everyday world as it was back then. As always, click on the photos to get a better look.
An unusual view of the backyard of a house, with its screened-in porch and children relaxing in big floppy hats.
This photo and the one below it, are very interesting in that they depict a small child posing with likely her nursemaid or a house servant who is African American, and still a child herself. Above, a view of the front porch…
…and the same house as above with the girls now playing in the side yard. The smaller child is in a buggy styled to look like a sleigh.
Here, the women of the family pose for the camera (while a young man photo-bombs from behind a bush).
This unusual group of people posing at the back door of an unidentified building may be running a store. The crates and debris on the ground, and the back side of a possible sign on the roof indicate a mercantile rather than a home.
This family is clearly dressed in their Sunday best on a winter day. The sidewalk in front of their house is made of wooden planking.
Several women can be seen on this house’s front porch, with its flowering vines strung from trellis to rail.
This modest house has had an addition put on–it looks rather new and perhaps Father wished to show it off. Here, a portion of the family poses on the front porch (possibly with a set of in-laws)…
…and here a different grouping are at the side door. In this less formal shot, there are far more children, as well as two dogs and a cat in the picture.
One downside to photographing an entire house is you lose the detail of each family member. The families in this photo and the one below, clearly cared more about seeing their faces than their houses. Notice the youngest girl above couldn’t keep still long enough, so her face is blurred.
Modern observers of these photographs are often drawn to the poverty, or at least the relative poverty of the people in the images. In reality, however, the front-of-home family photograph was a sign of wealth. It’s function was to record a moment in which a family was prosperous enough to have their own homes, their own horses or tractor.
There is a chicken near the steps in the photo.
Around the turn of the century, middle class Americans could start to afford their own personal cameras.
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Reed Brothers Dodge History (1915-2012) by Jeanne Gartner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
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