Highlights Archives
'Tis the Season for Aluminum Christmas Trees
Back by popular demand, the Wisconsin Historical Museum presents, 'Tis the Season, a large display of vintage 1960s aluminum Christmas trees. Opening Tuesday, November 24, and running through January 9, 'Tis the Season will be the museum's largest exhibition of vintage aluminum Christmas trees made in Wisconsin. The show will include all of the trees from the museum's permanent collection as well as trees on loan from around the state and around the country.
1960s Trees in All Shapes, Sizes and Colors
The exhibition will feature aluminum trees of all shapes, sizes, and colors from the 1960s. However, silver trees were the most popular, and a Wisconsin company manufactured most of those. The Aluminum Specialty Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, had been manufacturing aluminum toys for decades when they stumbled upon a new idea — the aluminum Christmas tree. After introducing the tree at the American Toy Fair in March of 1959, the company produced hundreds of thousands of trees. Eventually, revolving stands, color wheels and trees in a variety of colors became available. Though its popularity peaked in the mid-1960s, the aluminum tree remains a highly desired collectible.
To enhance the experience, the museum's first-floor gallery will be dimly lit, and modern reproduction color wheels and lights will cast a colored glow onto the highly reflective aluminum trees.
Special Holiday Programming
Don't miss your chance to see the exhibit while enjoying Sweet and Savory Holiday Traditions with Terese Allen on Saturday, December 5, or while shopping the Annual Museum Holiday Sale from Thursday, December 10, through Sunday, December 13.
:: Posted November 23, 2009
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