If These Walls Could Talk

Christmas 1928

by Linda Decker

A trip to the Danbury library to look at the December 1928 issue of the Danbury paper on microfilm gave us a chance to look back at how Christmas was celebrated in New Fairfield that year.

The town was divided into seven school districts, each one having a one-room schoolhouse. Three of the schools programs were described as follows: “Great Meadow School held Christmas exercises at the schoolhouse on Thursday evening. There was a Christmas tree and gifts were presented to all the children by Santa Claus. A seasonal play was presented by some of the children.” “East Center School children held their Christmas entertainment Friday evening at the home of Arthur Disbrow. The room was decorated with greens and bells. A decorated Christmas tree stood in one corner, and the children stood in front of an old fashioned fireplace to speak their pieces.” “Centerville School held their Christmas exercises at the Methodist Church Friday night. The church was decorated with greens and a large wreath and smaller wreaths all of which was done by Mrs. Clifford Durgy. Then there was a beautiful Christmas tree. After the entertainment, Rev. Frank Neal, pastor of the church, and Mrs. G. Bergren, organist, were both presented with a purse of money. There was a good sized audience.”

Advertisements in the same newspaper show what Mom and Dad would be shopping for. Main Street in Danbury would be where most holiday shopping would be done. Feinson's store advertised children's stockings for 18 cents a pair and union suits for 89 cents each. J.C. Penney offered men’s flannel shirts for 98 cents, work shoes for Dad from $1.89 - $4.98 and satin slippers for Mom were $1.98. Christmas trees ranged in price from 75 cents to $1.75. Toys that were popular were Hamilton Greyhound coaster wagon, a brown-eyed MaMa doll, erector sets, skates, Parcheesi and Lionel electric trains. A treat for the whole family could be a night at the movies to see Clara Bow in The Fleets In or Tom Mix in King Cowboy. Admission was 30 cents. If Dad was thinking of getting a new car, he might consider a Pontiac, 2 door sedan for $745.00 or a Chevrolet coupe for $595.00

When you look at the above photo of the Parsonage, which is waiting to be restored to it’s former glory, picture it as it probably looked in 1928, with wreaths on the doors and candles in the windows. Inside, Rev. Albert G. Mathers, pastor of the New Fairfield Congregational Church unpacked new hymn books for the church “Hymns of Praise, Number Two”, went over plans for the Sunday School children and prepared his sermon for the next Sunday morning. That was Christmas 1928 in New Fairfield.

Information obtained from the files of the New Fairfield Historical Society and the Danbury Public Library.

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