Rather than our usual Sunday features, in honor of the holidays, it seemed like a good time to share a small sampling of my vintage Christmas post card collection (wish I had some Chanukah ones also, but haven’t come across many of those). Also seemed like an ideal time to thank all of you present and future stewards of history. Who are we thanking? How do you qualify? Let’s review :

  • Genealogists, and researchers of the family tree
  • Those who save family photos, records and ephemera
  • Anyone who has ever owned or  lived in an historic home and taken care of it
  • Rescuers and caretakers of old things
  • Visitors to historic sites, homes, libraries, museums!
  • Supporters of the aforementioned and supporters of preservation organizations, such as our very own Indiana Landmarks (ahem! 2nd largest preservation organization in the country!–2nd  only to the National Trust!)
  • Architects, engineers, contractors, builders who are skilled enough to lovingly rehabilitate an existing historic building–it takes a lot more time and talent to do that than to knock something down or build something from scratch.
  • Those who work in preservation and history–the recompense is much shorter than the hours.
  • Librarians who understand the significance of old books, papers, periodicals and the like and preserve and protect them; archivists; photo historians; other historians; document/ textile and other menders of history
  • Responsible purveyors of vintage and antique items–those who know you don’t put tacky-glue stickers and staples on aged items or treat it with less respect because it has a scratch/ flaw
  • Upholsterers, woodworkers, glass blowers, stained glass artists, embroiderers, potters, and other artisans and craftsmen (and women) who repair damaged pieces of history and family treasures
  • People who label photos!
  • Those who donate rather than throw out old family letters, photos, calling cards, books and the like (our Indiana Historical Society does a commendable job protecting such items; visit some other state historical societies and you’ll be appalled with how carelessly items are handled.
  • People who live in, volunteer or contribute to historic neighborhoods/ sites
  • Businesses that occupy vintage buildings and neighborhoods
  • Groups who adopt a block, do plantings or otherwise beautify and care for historic areas
  • History teachers who inspire more than bore
  • Lineage groups who maintain records and help others with the hunt for their family tree (Daughters/ Sons of American Revolution, Society of Indiana Pioneers, Mayflower Society, National Society of Colonial Dames, etc)
  • Collectors, teachers and writers who share their knowledge and expertise of history/ heritage/ vintage with others so that they too, may learn
  • Programs like: Antiques Roadshow, Who Do You Think You Are, Histories Mysteries, If These Walls Could Talk and others (please feel free to add your suggestions in a comment)
  • People who want to be educated on their history and heritage
  • Contributors to this website and the Historic Indianapolis facebook page

This list is not comprehensive, but I wanted there to be space left for you all to fill in the blanks. But here’s the deal, if you read this blog, you deserve big thanks. If you’ve ever suggested this website to someone else or talked about something you’ve read here, you are helping to perpetuate the valuation of our history, and that may be one of the most important jobs of all. “Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And for some, the first step is just getting intrigued by something as simple as what you find throughout the pages of this site. I hope you enjoy it and in the spirit of the season, share early and often.

Happy Holidays to you all with my deepest gratitude!

TBB

P.S. Please, feel free to toot your own horn–I’d love to see readers comment on which of the aforementioned you represent– and anything I forgot!

This, from Beecher, Illinois, 1913 to Miss Lena Heidi of Crown Point, Indiana

This one, stamped Dec 22 (year unknown) from Atwood Johnson to Ray Daubs, New Lebanon, IN:

“Wishing you a Merry Xmas and a happy New Year. Esther Z.” 1909,  to Miss Agnes Ley, Clay City, IN

 

This one is from 1922, addressed to 1723  (North) Broadway, here in Indianapolis:

In the United Kingdom, they typically say “Happy Christmas,” versus the ubiquitous American refrain of “Merry Christmas,” and this post card makes me wonder when that all started…