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(Case to left of 1944 Exhibit) Patriotic Christmas greeting cards and decorated military
correspondence share the spotlight with a vintage train set constructed of cardboard.
(Christmas 1944 - The War Years) This life-sized vignette shows a sailor, grateful to get leave, enjoying the familiar and comfortable sight of home, decorated for Christmas. (Case to right of 1944 Exhibit) Ration stamps and books, and war bonds helped those on the home front support the war effort. Children played with cardboard jeeps and tanks, as plastic and metal were in short supply. (Above the side doorway) A 3-D cardboard castle adds to the fantasy scene for the ceiling-high train set which circles the lobby. (Santa Exhibit) A turn-of-the-century American Santa stands in front of a cotton-wrapped sassafras tree. (Peddler) "Lucky" is a life-sized figure created using a process called life-casting. Live models are used and molds are made of their heads and hands, producing incredibly realistic detail. (Yes Virginia Exhibit) In 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon penned the now-famous query to the New York Sun, "Please tell me the truth. Is there really a Santa Claus?" (Above doorway) A paper village and rail fence form a tiny town for the electric train set which circles the room. (Glass cases) Japanese and German cardboard houses, electric trains and Plasticville home and autos were often found arranged under the branches of the family Christmas tree. (Glass case to left of Nativity) The gathering of angels in a heavenly scene and sheep figurines in a pastoral setting were once parts of various Nativity sets handed down throughout the years. Also shown is a 3-D paper Nativity from the late 1800's. (Nativity Exhibit) The Nativity scene shown in our lobby is housed in a wooden stable from the 1880's. The figures are post-1900. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first Nativity scene over 800 years ago. (Case to right of Nativity) Colorful artwork and elaborate designs make these antique three-dimensional German paper Nativities impressive and valued collectibles. 
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