Origins of the Christmas spirit
Did you know that the Christmas holiday was once outlawed? Learn why on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., during “The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England,” an illustrated lecture at the Boxford Town Library, 10 Elm St. Kenneth C. Turino, manager of community engagement and exhibitions at Historic New England, will explore the development of the Christmas celebration from the time it was outlawed in 17th-century New England to the beginning of the 20th century, when all the trappings of a traditional Christmas were in place. Turino will look at how Christmas was transformed from a rowdy celebration to a family-centered event, and he’ll discuss why Christmas trees became popular, how the halls were decked and how Santa Claus came to town. The public is welcome to attend this free lecture, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Boxford Town Library. For more information, contact library director Nanci Milone Hill at 978-887-7323, ext. 2.
