I’m enlisting the help of these waving Santas to wish readers Happy Holidays, and to bid farewell until “A View to Hugh” returns in 2008.
Morton took this photo and many others at Wilmington’s Hilton Park, home of the “Largest Living Christmas Tree”—an oak tree, believed to be more than 400 years old, that has been lit up annually since 1928 (with one break during World War II). The crowd in the image above was presumably gathered for a lighting ceremony, sometime in the late 1940s. The image of carolers below was taken around the same time (this negative has deteriorated some with age).
This last image of the tree itself was taken a bit later, probably in the late 1950s. As always, please let us know if you can provide any information about the scenes/people depicted. Hope these help put you in the holiday spirit!
The story of Wilmington’s Santa “School,” along with 3 Morton images can be found on the front cover and pages 8 and 9 of “The State” magazine issue of December 21, 1946.
The world’s largest Christmas tree, a Wilmington landmark, may soon be removed.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20150521/ARTICLES/150529930&tc=email_newsletter
i am currently researching the Santa Claus training school Wilmington NC. does anyone have additional information