Happy holidays from Unseen St. Louis!
From centuries-old French and English customs to cherished modern favorites, December's Unseen STL History talk at Spine Bookstore and Cafe took us all on a festive journey of St. Louis holiday celebrations. Amanda Clark from the Missouri Historical Society shared fascinating historical insights from over 200 years of St. Louis history.
Amanda began her talk by tracing the roots of St. Louis’s holiday traditions back to the colonial period, exploring how French Catholic settlers celebrated the Réveillon, a grand midnight feast following Christmas Eve mass. She highlighted how early traditions, like the Yule log and Twelfth Night celebrations, reflected the diverse cultural influences shaping the city. Moving through time, Amanda told stories of opulent Christmas balls, displayed quirky newspaper predictions of futuristic holiday customs, and, of course, offered up a number of images from our city’s beloved department store window displays, which until relatively recently, drew crowds downtown to marvel at their magical scenes.
Her talk also examined how traditions evolved with social and cultural changes. Attendees were treated to rare photographs and newspaper clippings. Amanda also offered us a glimpse into the lives of the people who shaped these traditions, including Helen Weiss, the creative force behind Famous-Barr’s legendary holiday windows. From nostalgic memories to reflections on modern celebrations, Amanda's presentation captured the spirit of how St. Louisans have made the season their own over centuries.
For those who missed the event, or want to review the slides in more detail, you can download a PDF below:
How to find more Unseen St. Louis history
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Unseen St. Louis is a gift I love sharing with everyone, all year round, and it’s always free and accessible to all. But just like holiday magic, it takes a lot of effort behind the scenes to make it happen. If you’d like to help keep the spirit alive and support this labor of love, consider upgrading to a paid subscription. Your generosity is the best gift of all and ensures this community continues to thrive!
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