Education
Not Ready for Christmas To Be Over? Griffin MSI Has More Than 50 Christmas Trees to Keep Your Spirits Bright
(Heidi Peters / Griffin Museum of Science and Industry)
Holiday celebrations seem to end as soon as they begin, and if you’re the type to pout when Dec. 26 rolls around, there’s no need to fret.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s “Christmas Around the World” and “Holidays of Light” exhibits are still here to keep your Christmas spirit alive.
The annual exhibit started in 1942 with a single tree that was newly decorated for 12 days to represent the nations fighting alongside the U.S. during World War II.
“It was a very patriotic exhibit, and it just took off,” said Matt Porth, deputy director of guest engagement at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Today, the exhibit has grown to include 55 trees, each decorated to represent different countries; seven boxes to represent different holidays of light, like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa; and the Grand Tree, a 4-story Christmas tree with 35,000 lights and more than 500 ornaments.
“It’s a great place to learn about different places and cultures, and that’s something we should do every day,” said Porth.
He said planning and preparations start about six months in advance, but the tree decorating happens every year in early November, when various community organizations and families come to the museum over a two-week period to decorate their assigned trees.
Porth, who’s been working with the exhibit in various capacities for 19 years, said some have been decorating exhibit trees for decades.
“It really is a magical experience … to make connections, to see the grandkids grow up and take over,” Porth said. “It’s very personally rewarding.”
As for his favorite?
Though he said it’s like picking his favorite kid, the tree that stands out to him this year is Australia. It’s covered in orange lights and ornaments showcasing different animals, food and native plants found on the continent.
And, he added, it was decorated by a family with three kids under the age of 3.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 6. Visit the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry website for winter holiday hours.
