Could the oldest Christmas tree in the United States be in Galveston? In this special holiday episode of Unboxing History, Christine Hopkins and Jodi Wright-Gidley, hosts of the Unboxing History Podcast, presented by the Galveston County Museum, discuss a 114-year-old artificial Christmas tree, potentially the oldest in Texas or the country. The tree, donated by Mr. Lynn Ringh, features ornaments with rich histories, including a straw hat from Tampico, Mexico, and a World War II-era cardboard and foil ornament. Mr. Ringh shares heartfelt stories about his family's traditions, the Great Depression's impact, and why the tree holds significant sentimental value. The episode highlights the importance of preserving and donating family heirlooms to museums to keep history alive.
Special thanks to the Galveston Chamber of Commerce for their ongoing support and Shawn Schoellkopf for creating and performing the theme music.
Thank you for listening to Unboxing History, presented by the Galveston County Museum.
For more information on the Museum, visit our website.
History of the Galveston County Museum
The Galveston County Museum was formed in 1976. It was located on Market Street for many years. After Hurricane Ike damaged the HVAC and electrical systems in 2008, the unharmed artifacts were moved. Now, the museum is located in the Galveston County courthouse building at 722 Moody/21st Street in Galveston.
Galveston County Museum is a joint project of the Galveston County Commissioners Court and Galveston County History, Inc. The museum cares for a collection of 20,000 artifacts and archives. We also maintain the Historical Commission's library. If you are interested in research or donating an artifact related to Galveston County history, please call 409.766.2340.
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