Gulfport's Community Tree

Photograph

Gulfport History Museum

Front

Name/Title

Gulfport's Community Tree

Entry/Object ID

EVE.1

Description

A black and white photograph of a large group of people at the tree lighting ceremony for the Gulfport Community Christmas Tree.

Photograph Details

Subject

Christmas trees--Florida--Gulfport--1930-1940, Christmas, Fashion--1930-1940

Subject Place

City

Gulfport, FL

Collection

Photograph Collection

Cataloged By

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Unknown

Made/Created

Studio

Thorne Studio

Date made

circa December 23, 1932

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Location

Reverse

Transcription

Mayor Clifford Hadley started Christmas tree [?] for Community in 1932 - it has been a continuing custom A Picture of what you helped to make possible. With the sincere appreciation and thanks of the TOWN OF GULFPORT Clifford S. Hadley Mayor

Language

English

Dimensions

Height

5 in

Width

7 in

Web Links and URLs

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Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

"Mayor Clifford Hadley started the tradition of having a community Christmas tree in 1932, a custom to the present."

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

"Christmas Tree Lighting (Gulfport's Community Tree) This is a picture of an early Christmas Tree Lighting in Gulfport taken in 1932. The tradition of the Christmas Tree Lighting still continues today and is held in Clymer Park named after Jay P. Clymer, who in 1963 became interested in politics. He ran for office and served as Councilman for ten years, after which he was elected Mayor and served more than ten more years--never being defeated in elections. During his terms of office, many improvements were made for the benefit of the residents of Gulfport. He retired January, 1985."