Milton Historical Society to host “The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England” November 21, 2019

Explore the rich history behind New England Christmas traditions

The Milton Historical Society will host ‘The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England,’ presented by Kenneth C. Turino, Manager of Community Engagement and Exhibitions at Historic New England. The event will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Ave., Milton, MA, in the Keys Room.

This well-illustrated lecture traces the development of the celebration of Christmas from the time it was outlawed in 17th Century New England through the beginning of the 21st Century when all the trappings of a traditional Christmas were in place. For many, the celebration of Christmas today is the most important holiday of the year. But many of the customs which we take for granted as part of the current holiday festivities and religious celebrations are actually a product of more recent history.

The presentation will look at how Christmas was transformed from a rowdy celebration to a family-centered event.

Among topics discussed is how the Christmas tree became popular, halls were decked, and Santa Claus came to town. program explores the rich history of the Native Americans, its first residents.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available.

Kenneth Turino is Manger of Community Partnerships and Resource Development at Historic New England, the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the country. Mr. Turino oversees community engagement projects throughout the six New England states and is responsible for the exhibitions program at Historic New England. He frequently consults on interpretive planning and community engagement projects at historic sites. Ken holds a Master of Arts in Teaching, Museum Education, from the George Washington University and is an adjunct professor in the Tufts University Museum Studies Program. There he teaches courses on the future of historic houses. Mr. Turino is Vice President of the Board of the House of Seven Gables in Salem, MA. Along with Max van Balgooy, he is in an instructor for the American Association of State and Local History’s Reinventing the Historic House Workshop. His book with Max van Balgooy, Reimagining the Historic House Museum, was published in October 2019. He has also published several articles on the history of Christmas and speaks on the topic widely.

The Milton Historical Society is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1904 to collect, preserve, publish and exhibit artifacts and records relating to the town of Milton.

To become a supporter of the Milton Historical Society and to join online, please go to our website at www.miltonhistoricalsociety.org.