The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in America
Kenneth C. Turino, Manager of Community Partnerships and Resource Development at Historic New England
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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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. This presentation will look at how Christmas was transformed from a rowdy celebration to a family centered event and the role that New York City played in commercializing the holiday . Among the topics discussed are how the Christmas tree became popular, how Upper Manhattan is connected with Clement Clarke Moore (author of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas) and how Santa Clause came to town.
Register for our December Virtual Parlor Chat now!
Presenter Biography: Ken Turino is a curator, educator, director, producer, and author. As Manager of Community Partnerships and Resource Development at Historic New England, he oversees community engagement projects throughout the region His films have been shown on PBS including the prize winning film, “Back to School: Lessons from Norwich’s (VT) One-Room Schoolhouses.”
Ken has published numerous public history articles including many with a focus on interpreting historic sites and on LGBTQ history. His most recent publication in 2019, with Max van Balgooy, is Reinventing the Historic House Museum, New Approaches and Proven Solutions, editors, for Rowman & Littlefield. Ken is on the faculty of Tufts University in the Museum Studies Department where he teaches courses on Exhibition Planning and Reimagining Historic House Museums. Ken holds a BA from Salem State College where he majored in history and an MAT from George Washington University. He was awarded an Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from Salem State College in 2008. Ken speaks widely on the history of Christmas. He is currently working on a book with Max van Balgooy on Interpreting Christmas at Historic Sites and Museums.
