Naper Settlement exhibit conjures holidays past
You’ll find dancing sugar plums, carefully hung stockings and that jolly old elf at the “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” holiday exhibit Nov. 7-Dec. 22 at Naper Settlement in Naperville.
Venturing through Christmases past, the exhibit gives Clement Clarke Moore’s 1822 story a historic perspective.
“The exhibit provides historical information about the poem by showcasing various versions of the published poem throughout time, along with Christmas and holiday-themed objects according to themes in the poem, including ‘not a creature was stirring,’ ‘children were nestled all snug in their beds,’ and more,” said Louise Howard, Naper Settlement’s curator of collections.
“Additional displays will include vintage Christmas stockings, holiday postcards, historic Christmas ornaments and decorations, including a vintage cardboard Christmas fireplace with chimney.”
Sponsored by Ronald and Claudia Stenger, the exhibit is co-curated by Naper Settlement and Golden Glow of Christmas Past, a nonprofit focusing on the education and history of antique and vintage Christmas ornaments, lights and decorations.
“Naper Settlement will highlight artifacts from its collection, including Christmas figurines, a mid-20thcentury Christmas tree stand and a 19th-century sleigh,” Howard said. “The reading nook within the exhibit provides families an opportunity to continue or make reading the iconic poem a new family tradition.”
The actual title of Moore’s poem is “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” though most people refer to it instead by its opening line. The story became popular just before the Civil War, Howard explained, thanks to an 1859 edition of the poem published as a small book with drawings by prolific illustrator, Felix O.C. Darley.
“The poem’s popularity has continued through today as ‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ has become the most published, most read, most memorized and most collected book in all of Christmas literature,” she said. “It has been dramatized, satirized, parodied and set to music. The poem has been read to countless children nestled all snug in their beds.”
Without a doubt, it has become a beloved component of Christmas.
“Whether read silently or muttered aloud, the words still captivate us, creating the pleasant visions that continue to resonate as the poem becomes a part of family celebrations today,” Howard said.
Most of the displayed materials are on loan from members of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past, from vintage ornaments, stockings and decorations to postcards, books and puzzles.
“Some favorite highlights in the exhibit include the variety of colorful and beautifully detailed illustrations from publications of the poem over the years, including Raphael Tuck and Sons, 1898; Fern Bisel Peat, 1932; and Nino Carbe, 1960,” Howard said.
The exhibit also explores the poem’s authorship controversy.
“Speculation had arisen about Moore’s authorship of the famous poem as early as the 1850s because the jovial holiday poem is not in keeping with any of his other writings, and he was regarded as a serious scholar,” Howard said.
“While some scholars argue that the difference in the writing style suggests he didn’t write the poem, others say it is likely that something written simply for his children’s enjoyment would be quite different than a poem published for a general audience. The assertion that Moore did not write the poem has not been taken very seriously.”
On display Nov. 7-Dec. 22, the exhibit is included in museum admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays. The exhibit also will be open during the free Yuletide Festival at Naper Settlement Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22.
“We’re connecting visitors to Naperville’s past by linking a widely shared, iconic holiday tradition to our community story through a display of vintage holiday materials,” said Donna Sack, Naper Settlement’s vice president and chief program officer.