Showcasing Franklin Square’s holiday past

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The Franklin Square Museum brought visitors back in time to the early days of traditional German holiday celebrations at their open house on Dec. 4.

Nancy Youngfert, president of the Franklin Square Historical Society, said the organization wanted to show people what a Christmas would look like in a German home in Franklin Square.

The centerpiece of the space was a nine-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated in old-fashioned, hand-blown German ornaments. A friend of the historical society also donated an artificial fireplace. The historical society set up shoes and a rocking chair to replicate the tale of “Father Christmas.”

The second wave of immigrants who came to Franklin Square were Italian, so that piece of heritage was also honored with a nativity scene called the “crèche.”

While perusing the décor, attendees also helped themselves to some free hot dogs, cider and a German bread called “stollen.” They tried their luck with a 50/50 raffle and shopped around the historic afghans, pillows and books for a unique Christmas gift.