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halloween

Halloween: From Ancient Britain to Gilded Age America

November 23, 2017Although people around the world view Halloween as a thoroughly American holiday, it has a far more complicated story than that. In fact, Halloween is a mash-up of ancient Celtic paganism, early Roman Catholicism, nineteenth-century American immigration, modern suburbanism and commercialism, and much, much more.Read Article

Champagne and Celebrations

Gilded Age New Year’s Traditions: Champagne and Celebrations

December 29, 2016During the Gilded Age, the American traditions of New Year’s Eve started to transition from the folk celebrations of immigrants to the elaborate soirees we are more familiar with today, especially for those of a certain class.Read Article

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Favorite Holiday Traditions at the Driehaus Museum

December 09, 2016This time of year we all have our favorite holiday traditions that help us get into the spirit of the season. Below, we are happy to share with you some of the experiences that those of us who are a part of the Driehaus Museum enjoy most! We hope you enjoy and wish you a very Happy Holiday Season!Read Article

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A Gilded Age Guide to Gift-Giving

November 21, 2014Last December, Time magazine published an article on the psychology of gift-giving, addressing the questions that plague us each year as we search for the perfect gift for the perfect—or not-so-perfect—person in our lives.Read Article

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O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

December 15, 2011As you settle into winter holiday traditions of your own—re-watching that Rudolph claymation film, stringing popcorn and cranberries to hang on the tree, and dining on fried catfish and Austrian potato salad on Christmas Eve were a few of my own childhood favorites—here’s a look at how many Americans during the Gilded Age celebrated “the most wonderful time of the year.”Read Article