Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
October 27, 2002
By Judy Francis
Vigo County Historical Society
Historical museum offers inspiration for Halloween costumes
You’ll want to make the Vigo County Historical Museum one of your Halloween haunts this year. It’s all dressed up for the occasion. Among the special displays are two photographs in the second floor nursery. Paul Shumpert donated these snapshots, and the girl standing left in both photos is identified as Margaret Garragus. These charming photographs from the 1930s show that children enjoyed adding their own touches, such as the con-shaped hat made of paper. One picture shows them barefoot and carrying pails to hold the treats they hope to receive.
These happy Halloweeners were joining in a celebration that has its roots in the British Isles. As immigrants from Ireland England flocked to American in the middle of the 19th century, one of the traditions they brought with them was that of wearing costumes. By century’s end, Halloween had become an occasion for neighborhood parties and festive costumes were a big part of the celebration.
In 1921, Noka, Minn., hosted the first official citywide Halloween celebration, with other cities following suit. People didn’t need to search their attics for a costume because they could purchase a commercially-made cotton outfit. Traditional costumes such as black cats, ghosts, goblins and scarecrows prevailed from the 1920s to the 1940s. Among 1927 Sears catalog offerings were pirate suits and cowboy outfits, both priced under $3.
While World War II dampened the Halloween spirit, celebrations resumed after the war. Terre Haute joined in the festivities in a major way in 1945, when the American Legion Fort Harrison Post 40 sponsored its first Halloween parade. Participants of all ages competed for prizes as they showed off their costumes in a parade down Wabash Avenue. This great tradition continued until 1991.
In the 1950s, polyester became the material of choice for commercially-made costumes and popular television shows influenced costume choices. Casper the Friendly Ghost, Bugs Bunny, Davy Crockett and Zorro frequently showed up at Halloween parties. Continuing this trend into the 1960s, characters from the Munsters and the Flintstones came trick-or-treating, and the original Star Trek series beamed up many character costumes. Some trick-or-treaters followed the example of the children in the museum photographs and created their own costume, perhaps completing it with a cardboard mask found on a cereal box.
Recent developments include costumes of vinyl and plastic, as well as masks of well-known political figures. Entertainers and movie characters continue to inspire big-selling outfits. Spiderman, Harry Potter, Britney Spears and Elvis Presley may ring the doorbell this Halloween. Costumes for dogs are now popular, so canine pirates, cowboys or flower children could show up. Better have dog biscuits on hand, in addition to candy.
If you can’t decide on a costume, the museum may provide inspiration. The Halloween display offers lots of treats. No tricks. No fooling!
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.