Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
October 13, 2002
By Marylee Hagan
Vigo County Historical Society
Museum unmasks Halloween items
“Trick or Treat!” Yes, it’s that time of year and Halloween celebrations will take place in a variety of ways.
Centuries ago, Halloween, meaning “holy or hallowed evening,” was the day before All Hallows or All Saints’ Day, on Nov. 1. The tradition was an early pagan festival observed by people in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The religious nature of the holiday gradually evolved into the more secular celebration we know today.
Our historical treasures reflect some of the ways local folks celebrated the day during the 1920s and 1930s. The Wiley Blue Triangle Masked Ball took place on October 23, 1925, in the YWCA on North Seventh Street. All the dance slots were “filled” and as noted on the back of the dance card, Lynn Adams “had a swell time. When down to Berry’s afterwards and ate.” Ada Campbell’s orchestra played.
The circa 1930s bridge tally is decorated in bright color showing a friendly witch. In addition to the scores and the name “Catherine Baugh,” a notation identifies the evening as “Mary Bea Corwins Party.” I hope Baugh’s score was a winner!
The crepe napkin is typical of those used at both adult and children’s parties of the era. It is really a work of art and looks as though the goblin, witch, bats and jack-o-lanterns were hand painted.
Halloween has evolved into the second most popular holiday celebrated in the United States. Homes are decorated, some as lavishly as for the Christmas season, adults and children alike will be decked out in costumes that range from the beautiful to the grotesque and private parties, ”trick-or-treaters” and parades will rule the night.
What a great holiday Halloween is--a time when adults can be children again and children can pretend to be whatever they choose. It is the night when we all can be a little bit scared as we mingle with the spirits and witches and let our imaginations run wild. But beware and be careful, for as James Whitcomb Riley cautioned in his famous poem, “Lil’ Orphaned Annie”--”the goblins will get you if’n you don’t watch out!”
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.