“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 →
Bygone Maryland 