News Release

Special Presentation on 19th century Christmas Traditions at Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Date: November 21, 2022
Contact: Jasmine Leung, 217-391-3244

SPRINGFIELD, IL: Ever wonder what Christmas looked like during the Lincolns’ time? Join us for a special presentation on 19th century Christmas traditions with Dr. David Bertaina on December 17 at 2p.m. The presentation will be held at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center at 426 S 7th Street. Dr. Bertaina will be exploring topics from holiday gifts to the story behind the classic Christmas tree, so don’t miss out on this special holiday presentation!

David Bertaina, PhD, is a Professor of History at the University of Illinois Springfield. He studies the religious history of the late antique and medieval Middle East. He is also interested in the historical development of Christmas, publishing research on the origins of the feast in the Middle East, as well as the history of the Christmas tree in the Oxford Handbook of Christmas (2020).