“A little boy in a spirit of repentance sends this letter to The Sun: ‘Dear Santa Claus: I am very sorry that I ever said I did not believe in you. Forgive me this time and I will never say it again. Yours lovingly, G.K.’” Source: Baltimore Sun, December 23, 1893
Special Santa Requests
Maryland children in the early 20th century sent letters containing poignant requests for St. Nick: A Thoughtful Brother Harry Brown Jr. of Annapolis spends most of his 1918 letter listing what his many siblings would like for Christmas (I love their names!): Dear Santa Claus: Will you please bring me an automobile, which I can work... Continue Reading →
Dear Santa Claus
Do you remember your little friend Ellen Measell? I hope you do and will you please bring me a new doll, a very large one, with light hair and blue eyes, some books, some games, a pair of kid gloves, a pair of ice skates, a little house for my dolls and a baby brother,... Continue Reading →
Dear Santa Claus
"Please bring me a small doll baby, a little tin stove, and a whole lot of nice candy. I’ll be an awful good girl, Santa, if you bring me all I want." Letter from Neva Stitely in The News (Frederick), December 6, 1893
‘A Spirit of Eager Expectancy’
It’s fascinating to see how many of the Christmas preparations of more than a century ago still apply today. From busy shopping to hanging the mistletoe, an 1890 Maryland Christmas seems very familiar. Just a few days before Christmas of that year, The Baltimore Sun painted a busy shopping scene: “[M]en, women and children stayed on... Continue Reading →
A Christmas Feast?
On December 15, 1903, an opossum found himself in a pigeon coop in Frederick County. He had quite a feast, eating all of the pigeons who resided there, including one that was 14 years old. But the coop's owners had the last laugh. According to an article in The News, "The opossum remained in the... Continue Reading →
‘Santa Claus Mail’
On Christmas Eve in 1900, The News (Frederick) printed children’s letters to Santa Claus: Arthur Pue Gorman Ridgely, 3, requested that Santa bring him “a little dog and a story book and some candy, oranges and nuts.” In his letter, he reassured Santa that he would appreciate his gifts: “I will be glad and thankful,”... Continue Reading →
Bygone Maryland 