{"id":22706,"date":"2025-01-11T11:46:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-11T11:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/american-history\/celebrate-65-years-of-the-aluminum-christmas-tree-at-the-johnson-county-museum\/"},"modified":"2025-01-11T11:46:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-11T11:46:33","slug":"celebrate-65-years-of-the-aluminum-christmas-tree-at-the-johnson-county-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=22706","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate 65 Years of the Aluminum Christmas Tree at the Johnson County Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This holiday season marks the 65th anniversary of one of the most iconic symbols of mid-century Christmas cheer\u2014the aluminum Christmas tree. Whether it evokes fond memories of childhood holidays or you\u2019re discovering this shimmering symbol of the Space Age for the first time, the aluminum tree has a way of captivating hearts and inspiring nostalgia. For just over a decade, it was the centerpiece of Christmas d\u00e9cor, bringing a futuristic twist to family celebrations. Come explore the history of these shiny trees at the Johnson County Museum, where you can experience the magic firsthand! <\/p>\nSelections from the collection of Steve and Mary Pruitt, on display in the Johnson County Museum through January 4, 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Aluminum Tree\u2019s Sparkling Beginnings<\/strong><\/p>\n
In December 1958, a toy sales manager at the Aluminum Specialty Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, saw a metal Christmas tree in a Chicago department store window. Inspired by its unique design but knowing it could be mass-produced more affordably, the company introduced a lighter, cheaper version to the market. By 1959, the Evergleam<\/strong> brand was born, and the aluminum tree became a must-have item. At its peak in 1964, the company produced 150,000 trees a year.These sleek, metallic trees stood out for their unusual beauty. Paired with color-changing wheels that cast vibrant reflections on their silvery branches, the trees were a statement of modernity and consumer optimism. As the popularity of aluminum trees grew, so did the number of brands creating their own variations, including Revlis, Tomar Imperial Arctic Star, and Carey-McFall. While 75% of Evergleam trees were silver, companies offered trees in hues like gold, green, and the rarest of all, pink. Over the decade, they sold millions of aluminum trees. <\/p>\nOriginal box for an Evergleam tree, produced by the Aluminum Specialty Company. The larger boxes hold Revlis and Tomar Imperial Arctic Star aluminum trees<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A Space-Age Sensation<\/strong><\/p>\n
The aluminum tree wasn\u2019t just a holiday decoration\u2014it was a symbol of the future. During the post-World War II boom, aluminum was plentiful and affordable, and the trees were an innovative way to celebrate the holiday season. The addition of color wheels, revolving stands, and spotlights gave the trees an otherworldly glow, reflecting the excitement of the Space Age.<\/p>\n
Though the aluminum tree was designed for easy assembly and maintenance\u2014no more falling needles\u2014it wasn\u2019t without controversy. ALCOA (the Aluminum Company of America) warned against the safety of using electric lights with the metallic branches, instead recommending color wheels and simple ornaments. The trees were mostly meant to be admired as a glittering, light-reflecting display. [images 1 and 2]<\/p>\nThe Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) published this brochure in 1959 titled \u201cHow to decorate your aluminum Christmas tree.\u201d Courtesy ALCOA.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
The Fall of the Aluminum Tree<\/strong><\/p>\n
By the late 1960s, the aluminum tree began to fall out of favor. The 1965 airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas<\/em> television special helped shift public sentiment, with a famous scene featuring Linus sarcastically criticizing the \u201ccold\u201d look of an aluminum tree. This iconic moment, coupled with the desire for more traditional holiday symbols, led to the demise of the Evergleam and its competitors by the early 1970s.<\/p>\n
But like many trends, what was once considered out of style has since been rediscovered. Today, the aluminum tree is embraced as a charming retro icon of holiday cheer.<\/p>\n
A Special Holiday Exhibit at the Johnson County Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n
To celebrate 65 years of the aluminum Christmas tree, the Johnson County Museum is showcasing a rare collection of 20 aluminum trees! The collection, on loan from local collectors Steve and Mary Pruitt, includes a stunning variety of colors and styles.<\/p>\n
The exhibit, housed in the All-Electric House, invites you to step back in time and experience how these trees helped redefine the American Christmas experience. The exhibit runs through January 4, 2025, and is included in regular museum admission. [image 3]<\/p>\nAdvertisement for a \u201cpompon tree\u201d for sale at Montgomery Ward stores. The ad appeared in the Village Squire on December 5, 1963 (page 19). Courtesy Johnson County Museum<\/a>.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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