Wolcott History
Wolcott Historical Society

Wolcott Historical Society News - November 2007
 

By Florence Goodman

Since the holiday season is upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to give my readers some historical insight into the beginnings of our Society and how the town Christmas tree lighting on the Green began. The Society's beginnings date back to 1958 and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony originated in 1961.

The Society sponsored the first town Christmas tree lighting on the Green on December 18, 1961; and the tradition of the town tree lighting ceremony began. The Society furnished a 25-foot Norway spruce complete with ornaments and lights. The members of the Wolcott Congregational Church hosted a carol sing and coffee was served at the Beecher Memorial. The Connecticut Light and Power Company erected the tree and installed the lights free of charge as a donation to the Society. In November of the following year, Mr. Clifford Herbst donated a 22-foot blue spruce and had it planted as a permanent Christmas tree on the Green. The new tree was decorated by the Wolcott Civil Defense, using the Society's decorations, and lighted by Mrs. Eva Tyrrell on December 15, 1962. As you drive by our Green this holiday season and see a tree shining brightly, think about the beginnings of this tradition in our town.

I hope I have enlightened you on the Society's beginnings, as well as, the beginnings of our town Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The information for this article was found in the Society's minutes.

Our main source of income to maintain the museum is through our membership donations and several fundraisers that we have throughout the year. If you have not renewed your membership, please consider doing so. Visit our WebPages at (http://www.wolcotthistory.org/). You can download a membership application there. Our meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at the Old Stone Schoolhouse on Nichols Road at 6:30 P.M. During the winter months some of our meetings may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Our main source of income to maintain the museum is through our membership donations and several fundraisers that we have throughout the year. On Saturday, December 8th, we will present our Holiday House Tour. We will have 3 houses in the town open for your viewing. Tickets will be sold at the Old Stone School on Nichols Road the morning of the tour. Please save the date, I know you will not be disappointed.

Visit our WebPages at (http://www.wolcotthistory.org/). You can download a membership application here. Our meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at the Old Stone School on Nichols Road at 6:30 P.M.

To view past installments of the Wolcott Historical Society News, click here.

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