The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in America

Discover how Christmas celebrations in America have changed over four centuries with historian and educator Ken Turino. This illustrated presentation follows the holiday from its controversial early history in New England, including its prohibition in the seventeenth century, to the family traditions familiar today.

Historic images and stories reveal the origins of Christmas customs and the shift from public revelry toward celebrations centered on home and family. The program also explores how these changes may have been experienced in Beverly and other North Shore communities.

Turino is a curator, author, and museum educator whose work includes historic house interpretation and community partnerships. His publications include books on historic house museums and interpreting Christmas at museums and historic sites.