History To-Go: Christmas Lights

Electric Christmas lights became popular after people started using electricity in the 1800s. Before that, families put candles on their Christmas trees, but that could be very dangerous because of fires. In 1882, a man named Edward Johnson, who worked with Thomas Edison (the inventor of the light bulb), made the first string of electric Christmas lights for his tree. By the 1920s, lots of families were decorating their trees with lights. Other holidays started using electric lights too! Electric Hanukkah menorahs were invented to celebrate the Festival of Lights without using candles. The menorahs use little light bulbs to shine just like the candles do. For the Black American holiday Kwanzaa, some families use electric kinaras to light up the seven candles that stand for the holiday's special principles. These electrical lights help make holidays bright and full of joy for everyone that celebrates!

December's History To-Go box features Christmas Lights. You can come by the museum starting Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to pick up a box (limit 2 per family). Supplies are limited, so come early. Click the links below to download the box's content if you can't pick up a kit in person.

Special Thanks to the Arts Council of Fayetteville for sponsoring the History To-Go Kits! Please support us by making a donation or becoming a volunteer!