Did you have an aluminum Christmas tree when you were young? Probably not unless you grew up in the 1950’s when they were all the rage.
When I was 8 years old, my mother’s best friend got one the new aluminum Christmas trees and could not wait to show it off. We went to her house and there in the living room sat this weird, naked silver tree with a rotating light on the floor that changed the color of the tree every few seconds. It looked awful but we smiled and told her how lovely it was.
The First Aluminum Christmas Trees
The aluminum trees were first produced in Japan after World War II and introduced in the United States in the late 1950’s. Ads called them “Permanent Trees” rather than artificial trees. They remained popular into the mid-1960’s but by 1968, most companies no longer listed them in their catalogs. By the early 1970’s, the craze came to an end.
The Curator
Architect Stephen Jackson created the aluminum Christmas tree collection. He named it the Aluminum Tree and Aesthetically Challenged Seasonal Ornament Museum (ATOM). Thus far, it is the only vintage aluminum Christmas tree museum in the world.
How Did It Begin?
In 1991, in Charlotte NC, a friend jokingly gave Jackson a tattered aluminum Christmas tree pilfered from a garbage heap. Remembering the silver tree from his childhood home, Jackson threw a party and invited guests to bring the “most aesthetically challenged” ornaments they could find. The gathering was a big hit.
In 1993, Jackson moved to Brevard NC and held another tree-trimming party to help make new friends. The following year, someone gave him a second tree unearthed at a yard sale, and by 1998 Jackson owned seven of the vintage trees.
Seven was too many to fit in his house so he hosted a one-day exhibit at the American Legion Hall. About 150 curiosity-seekers showed up.
From Then To Now
Over the years the Stephen Paul Jackson Aluminum Tree & Aesthetically Challenged Seasonal Ornament Museum and Research Center (ATOM) snowballed as friends nabbed more trees from flea markets and dusty attics. Now the exhibit has a seasonal home at the Transylvania County Heritage Museum in Brevard NC.
2020 ATOM Theme
This year’s ATOM exhibit highlights the early days of the aluminum tree with a 1950’s theme, including a nod to the decade’s biggest stars – Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
The “modern colors” of the 50’s were clean and bright: clear white, shiny black, bright red, vibrant yellow and electric blue. These were the colors of diners, drive-ins and rock and roll.
Pastel Color Schemes
Pastel color schemes were all the rage in 1950’s décor such as pale pink, mint green, a light turquoise, pale yellow and medium blue. Think kitchens and bathrooms and appliances, metal cabinets, countertops, floors, tables and chairs. I remember one of my bathrooms covered in pink tile and another in green.
“Shiny Brite” Ornaments
Max Eckhardt created “Shiny Brite” ornaments in 1937. Foreseeing a break in the supply of hand-blown glass ornaments from Germany in the approaching war, Eckhardt worked with Corning Glass to manufacture clear glass ornaments that were then hand-painted in Eckhardt’s factories. I still have a few of these ornaments, passed down from my parents.
Aluminum Christmas Tree Humor
Although 25 volunteers lovingly set up the displays, there is no lack of humor about the whole idea. Posters on the wall describe “The Lore of Aluminum Christmas Tree Farming”. A label on a small pack of silver beads reads “Grow Your Own Aluminum Tree” for $2.00
Summary
Brevard is a small southern town of 7,900 people in the mountains of western NC. If you ever visit at Christmas time, be sure to stop by to see the ATOM exhibit at the Transylvania Heritage Museum. I promise that the aluminum tree exhibit will enchant and perhaps cause a chuckle or two. Afterwards, walk up Main St. and meet the friendly proprietors of the restaurants and unique local stores.
They are open this year from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is no charge for the exhibit but donations are gratefully accepted.
Very cool! I actually really like the pastel baubles with those aluminium trees – they look pretty together!
I don’t think I have ever seen a tree like this – although my mum did have a white/silver tree when we were growing up. It was great for adding all the most colourful decorations.
Oh wow I’ve only seen these in movies but haven’t read anything else about them. Great post!