COLUMBUS, Ind. — The past several years at the Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, Geri Handley has concocted whimsical Christmas trees festooned with Santa letters, hats, gloves, you name it.
So where does the nonprofit’s event coordinator plant her creativity in this fifth year of a display known as “Christmas Trees Through Time/Christmas Memories” running Nov. 29 through Dec. 22?
Take a look at her early inspiration just inside the door of the facility at 524 Third St. in downtown Columbus. There you will find “Lady in White,” the first of 14 festive trees.
It features a female torso with a hint of a white fur at the top third of a tree next to a beautifully rustic, nine-foot, wooden door of the former 1877 Donner House in Columbus.
“She is waiting to enter the holiday party,” Handley said.
If you’re waiting to enter into a bit of the holiday spirit, look no further than the museum that has specialized in the past few years in history with a more artsy, more recent, pop-culture flair, if you will.
“I remind people that history was yesterday,” said Diane Robbins, the historical society’s executive director.
And yesterday often seems so much sweeter and more sentimental at Christmas, many would say. Moreover, trees almost can seem healing.
Call that O Tannen-balm.
Plus, this exhibit also will feature nearly 40 of late philanthropist Xenia Miller’s treasured creche collection, with Nativity scenes from all over the world. The baby Jesus is shown sleeping amid every possible background, be it bamboo or porcelain or goodness-knows-what. For decades, Miller collected the handmade creations highlighting a humble scene with humble worshippers from Sweden to Sri Lanka.
“When people see them, they’re amazed at all the different cultures,” Robbins said.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
