Leslie Goddard to light up Glen Ellyn lecture on mid-century modern Christmas

Historian and actress Leslie Goddard will present “Mid-century Christmas: Fads and Fun,” a program offered at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 by the Glen Ellyn Historical Society in the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St.

Goddard will describe Christmas in America from the 1940s through the 1960s as a time of aluminum trees, department store Santas and cartoon specials on TV. Children wanted Easy Bake Ovens, G.I Joes and Slinkies. The coolest houses had trees with rotating color wheels. Goddard explores the era in a new illustrated lecture, using photographs, advertisements, greeting cards and catalogs to discover why the era was a turning point in how we celebrate the holidays, a news release stated.

Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for GEHS members, and $5 for students age 18 and younger. Refreshments will be served. For information, call 630-469-1867 or visit www.gehs.org.