Wake Wednesday - Christmas in Wake County - pt. 2

I have shared ArcGIS StoryMaps before. I am sharing another today and I think that this iteration is the cleverest use of the technology yet. Take a peek at this wonderful time travel illustration of Christmas at Oak View: 1850-1950 by Abigail Kellerman. The stories illustrates how Christmas was celebrated and how traditions changed through the various eras with different rooms and structures portraying each. 

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I hope you enjoy this adventure to the past! Merry Christmas.

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Wake Wednesday - Christmas in Wake County, pt. 1

 Caution: Extreme Nostalgia Ahead!

Do you remember the Fayeteville Street Christmas lights (before the acorns or snowflakes), a nighttime downtown Christmas parade, Happyland or Cross Family Lights? No matter which of these traditions strike a nostalgic chord in you soul, you will find all these and more in this Wake County Christmas time collection of remembrances from various sources. 

A Ghost of Christmas Past - the late Karl Larrson shares his memories of downtown Raleigh at Christmas.

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Then and now: Scenes of Raleigh at Christmas since the 1930s by Heather Leah of WRAL. Enjoy this nostalgic look at Fayetteville Street as the hub of holiday cheer from the 1930s forward. I love the many wonderful retro photos from the State Archives of NC.

It is my hope that your memories spark the urge to tell the stories to your younger kin creating new family traditions and a hunger for more family stories. Keep the stories flowing and Christmas memories alive. 

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Wake Wednesday - Chrismas Nostalgia - Growing up in Wake County

Here is a Wake County Christmas nostalgia post to jumpstart your holiday cheer. How many of these event/traditions do you remember?  Do you have other favorites not mentioned in this WRAL segment from Heather Leah? Let us know.

This does not go back very far, but it is sure to push your nostalgia buttons! Enjoy.

View Heather's full post here.

The 50th annual WRAL Tower Lighting took place on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - 

Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Journal | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Research Guides | Newsletter | Blog | Contact