'Turnback Tuesday' features history of Christmas tree

'Turnback Tuesday' looks at some of the history of the Christmas tree.

For thousands of years, homes were decorated with evergreens for the Winter Solstice. Other early trees across northern Europe were cherry or hawthorn plants put into pots and brought inside so hopefully they would flower at Christmas time.

In Germany, the first Christmas trees were decorated with edible things such as sweets and fruit. Angels/fairies topped the tree that told the shepherds about Jesus and in Victorian times the trees were decorated with candles to represent stars.

Derby Public Library has on display several trees representing an era or decade. These trees were generously decorated by our patrons.

Please come in and visit and vote for your favorite tree.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St., Derby.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.