A Forgotten Landmark

But it’s funny because, though there’s a plaque in commemoration, there is no tree!  You’d think the community would embrace the holiday spirit and celebrate the location of the first historic Christmas tree in America with a grand re-creation and festive lighting ceremony.  But no, alone I arrive in darkness each Christmas and alone I have always remained, for the site, it seems, is entirely forgotten and totally uncelebrated.  And yet a multi-million dollar industry in the sale of Christmas trees has spun/spawned from it, to say nothing of the joy that the 'tannenbaum' has given us all at this time of year .  Oh, how quickly we forget!

Here’s the story about the controversy and scandal that the first public Christmas tree in America caused.

And here is the actual record of the first decorated private tree…but it was Schwan’s tree described above that launched the tradition in America.