As
families prepare for the holidays, they are confronted with a choice: real or
fake Christmas tree? Learn more about the history of this seasonal consideration
at a free lecture offered by the UW-Stevens Point College of Letters and
Science.
“The
Roots of the Real Christmas Tree,” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8,
presented by Neil Prendergast, assistant professor of history. Held in the Pinery
Room of the Portage Country Public Library, 1001 Main St., Stevens Point, this
is the fifth talk in the nine-part 2015-2016 Community Lecture Series.
"Typically we think of
buying a Christmas tree as a choice between a real one or an artificial one,
but this concern for authenticity only dates back 50 or so years,” Prendergast
says. “At the turn of the century, Americans had a far different way of
thinking about Christmas trees. Their driving concerns were conservation and
public gathering spots."
Prendergast earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from
Miami University and a doctorate from the University of Arizona. His specialty
is U.S. environmental history. Earlier this year Prendergast won a university
Excellence in Teaching Award.
For more
information on the Community Lecture Series, visit www.uwsp.edu/cols/lectureseries
or email stappa@uwsp.edu.
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