For Immediate Release

Contact: 
Kara O’Keeffe
608-261-9596
kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.org

November 8, 2018

Celebrate the Holidays 1960s-style at the Wisconsin Historical Museum During the Ever Gleaming Exhibit

Madison, Wis. – Enjoy vintage aluminum Christmas trees, see toy commercials from the 1960s, take your family portrait in a replica 1960s living room, and much more at the Wisconsin Historical Museum’s exhibit, “Ever Gleaming: The Enduring Love Affair with the Aluminum Christmas Tree” opening Saturday, November 17.

“This year we have six new aluminum Christmas trees on loan from a collector in Texas including a 7-foot pink tree and more unique pieces to add to the exhibit,” said Mike Hollander, director of the Wisconsin Historical Museum. “Plus, the replica 1960s living room is a great setup for families, friends, or co-workers to take their holiday portraits.”

During the 1960s, Aluminum Christmas trees became popular and a Wisconsin business, the Aluminum Specialty Company, became the largest manufacturer of these trees. Their tree, the Evergleam, became a remarkable success, with over one million making their way into American homes through the early 1970s. Over the past 15 years, these trees have become highly sought-after collectors’ items, and the renewed craze shows no signs of slowing down.

This year’s exhibit will include unique and vintage aluminum trees and accessories from the Wisconsin Historical Society’s collection, as well as rare Evergleam trees on loan from a Texas collector. Visitors can pose for a picture in a replica 1960s living room and see vintage toy commercials playing in the museum theatre. The exhibit is open from November 17, 2018, until January 12, 2019.

On Sunday, November 25, the museum store will be participating in Museum Store Sunday which is a national campaign that gives guests a way to support the Museum’s mission through the unique Wisconsin-centric gifts sold in the store.

The Wisconsin Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas the Museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.) Suggested donation of $5 per adult and $3 per child. For more information, visit wisconsinhistoricalmuseum.org.

About the Wisconsin Historical Museum
The Wisconsin Historical Museum, one of 12 Wisconsin Historical Society sites, is located at 30 N. Carroll St. on Madison’s Capitol Square.  The Museum features four floors of exhibition space and a unique museum store.  Call 608-264-6555 for more information, or visit us online atwww.WisconsinHistoricalMuseum.org.

About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active, and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving, and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs, and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.

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