Vigo County Historical Society

Easter is time of celebration

Easter is a very special time of year for Christians but it also is a special celebration for children.

Children have been celebrating Easter even before it was associated with the resurrection of Christ. Easter probably originated in the celebration of spring which began thousands of years ago, maybe with the festival of Eastre, who was the goddess of spring and fertility.

The traditions of this festival are in part still alive today. We use the Easter bunny, which in Eastre’s festival was the symbol of fertility, and Easter eggs that are dyed, which originally were to make one think of sunshine in the springtime of the year.

In the front hall of the Vigo County Historical Museum is a china cabinet that has an Easter display. The treasure for today is a darling yellow Easter baskey made from accordion or waffled paper. The patent date on the basket is 1925 and the basket was probably made in the late 1920s.

The basket holds six colored eggs, which also are made from the waffled or accordion paper. The handle on the basket comprises two yellow chicks and is made from cardboard.

The card on the handle reads "to Elton from M," which I believe is Mom.

Any child would be delighted with this basket. The eggs have lasted a long, long time and the basket could be sold in any store today.

Come to the museum and enjoy the articles from Easters of long ago and notice the basket with the little colored eggs. It will surely bring back memories of your childhood.