Christmas

Resources are listed in alphabetical order. More information can always be found by using our website search bar, or contacting a member of our staff.

A Community in Conflict

Digital Exhibit

1 item

1966

In 1965 the Bloomington-Normal NAACP decided it was time to challenge how the community viewed local businesses that discriminated.

Digital Exhibit

Articles

A small selection of Pages from our Past articles written by Bill Kemp

8 items

Community Christmas ‘sing’ once annual event

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of countless holiday gatherings, school pagea...

Article

This illustration of the new Griesheim Building appeared in a 1901 Bloomington Business Men’s Association promotional piece touting the city’s reconstruction efforts after the Great Fire of June 19, 1900.

Great Fire couldn’t dampen Christmas spirit

The holiday season of 1900 brought more changes than usual for area shoppers flocking to downto...

Article

two men stand next to a pail, with a salvation army sign

Holidays bring turbulent year of ’68 to a close

Fifty years ago this week, December 1968, fast-approaching Christmas and New Year’s afforded ma...

Article

Located at the corner of Madison and Monroe streets in downtown Bloomington, this building served as the McLean County jail from 1882 to 1977.

Homemade Christmas dinner once a McLean County jail tradition

“Unfortunate souls who spend Christmas Day in the county jail will at least have a tasty dinner...

Article

The two giant Santas looming over the entryway to local retailer Livingston’s can be seen in this circa late 1950s photograph.

In 1955, downtown Bloomington 'dressed in holiday style'

Back in 1955, Bloomington was less than half its current size, toys were still made in America,...

Article

Intrepid Pantagrapher paid visit to Santa’s North Pole

In 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon famously wrote the New York Sun newspaper to ask if that ...

Article

a large crowd is seen in front of Ensenberger Furniture store and the W.B.READ & CO buildings.

Spirits high for Depression-era Christmas

During the 1936 Christmas season, Americans faced an Ebenezer Scrooge writ large — the hard tim...

Article

a family stands in front of a fireplace, looking at stockings hanging

War’s end makes Christmas ’45 extra special

On Dec. 22, 1945, President Harry Truman switched on the twinkling lights of the nation’s Chris...

Article

Biographies

1 item

Kennedy, Merlin Robert

The local story of the American Civil Rights Movement, especially in McLean County, cannot be t...

Biography

Blog

7 items

All I Want for Christmas … Lincoln School First Graders, 1965

Back in early December 1965, these six-year-old first graders from Lincoln School in Bloomingto...

Blog Post

Bright Lights in Time for Christmas Downtown Bloomington, December 1958

On Dec. 19, 1958, Bloomington Mayor Robert McGraw threw a ceremonial switch to light about half...

Blog Post

Courthouse Caroling December 23, 1935

The ninth annual “Community Christmas Carol Sing” was held on the McLean County Courthouse Squa...

Blog Post

Herman Glaser, December 1952 Stanford’s Toy Maker

During the 1952 holiday season Stanford resident and retired farmer Herman Glaser displayed sev...

Blog Post

Museum Celebrates Return of Iconic Livingston Santa, Public Art to Downtown Bloomington

Blog Post

Museum Saving Santa, Bringing Back a Beloved Central Illinois Christmas Tradition

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, two in fact, right here in McLean County. The 14-foot Sa...

Blog Post

Santa at the Courthouse Square Downtown Bloomington, 1948

On December 4, 1948, Santa Claus arrived in Bloomington via the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroa...

Blog Post

Finding Aids

1 item

Christmas

Christmas is an annual winter festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primar...

Finding Aid

Speakers Bureau

1 item

McLean County Holiday Stories

Speakers Bureau

Videos

3 items

Crafting History: Embroidering Festive Felt Ornaments

Video

Lunch & Learn: Christmas Past and Present at Ewing Manor

Video

Lunch & Learn: Relocating the Nativity in Song and Celebration with Adriana Ponce

Video