ATOM

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

Have a happy holiday

Everyone dancing merrily

In the new old fashioned way…….”

Brenda Lee serenaded as I drove to find the Aluminum Tree and Ornament Museum (ATOM).  It is an entire exhibit dedicated to the history of the aluminum Christmas tree. For “docents of good taste”, such an experience might be classified as near-terrifying. However, the thought of seeing this display thoroughly intrigued me. Knowing the destination was several hours away, I had loaded the CD player with a variety of holiday music. I knew hearing the classics would entice the spirit of the season to visit. Nevertheless, after nearly 3.5 hours of carols, my “Fa” had faded from my “La, La, La.”. Off it went, as simple silence became golden.

This special presentation is a feature of The Museum of Transylvania Heritage which is located in Brevard, North Carolina. Brevard is the quintessential mountain village. It is full of charm and kind-hearted souls, where pretention seems to be checked at the city limits. Prefaced by a rather deep parking lot, there it sat. Not what I expected. Neighbored by buildings of a commercial spirit, sat this humble little bungalow. I had arrived at my destination.

Upon entrance, I was greeted by a most pleasant smile and bid of welcome. Although the modest house had found a new purpose in life, much of its original architecture and floor plan were intact. The display of silver splendor trailed throughout its first floor.  

Room #1 was a near-forest of “Reynolds Wrap”! --- Before me was a collection of aluminum Christmas trees. There were different sizes and colors. Each tree had a very distinct theme of décor and story attached to it. Among them were: “Rock and Roll” with miniature 45’s of classic ‘50’s/’60’s vocal artists; the “Cardinals Touch My Heart” tree featured, well,….cardinals-North Carolina’s state bird; the “Singing Cowboy” tree was dedicated to country music star, Gene Autry, and on the assortment went. There was even one with pink sponge rollers adorning the metallic limbs. I could only snicker as flashbacks of my sister’s head sporting the same thing raced through my mind.

Rooms’ #2 and #3 presented a continuation of various themes strewn with glassed-encased photos and mementos of this icon’s grand period. Think about it. What other holiday décor speaks of such a specific era? It was 1958. The “Space Age” had been launched the prior year with the Soviet Union’s Sputnik. A new frontier was at the doorsteps of the entire world. What a better way to celebrate it than a Christmas tree of aluminum? A wily businessman from Wisconsin had spotted a hand-crafted mini-version in a display window of a Ben Franklin Five and Dime in Chicago. Production went into action immediately as the nation seemed to clamor for these safe, “permanent” trees of tomorrow’s land. Although silver was by far the most popular, there were also trees of peacock green, blue, red, pink, and gold. Branch styles were are also diverse, ranging from pompoms-to-curl and crinkle.

As with most trends and fashion, interest waned nearly as soon as it had sparked. By 1965, Charlie Brown shared his view that aluminum trees were simply, “too commercial”. Americans' view of the glittering lumber quickly coincided. Soon, the mere sight of this form of decor was deemed “tacky”, “campy”, and simply tasteless. Today, the original trees have become collector’s items and can fetch more than $700 each!

Why would a display, such as this, be of interest to me? Having grown up in a mid-century modern home, an aluminum Christmas tree was simply de rigor. As the tree turned within its rotating base, the infamous color wheel simultaneously cast a rainbow of dreams upon it. Every year the limbs of glittering glamour would become a tad more frayed and haggard. However, the memories that were attached to those same limbs became evermore beautiful. Our lives are a combination of experiences. Aluminum Christmas trees were a part of mine.

Upon returning to my car, I turned the CD player back on to discover Miss Lee was still singing:

“You will get a sentimental feeling

When you hear

Voices singing let’s be jolly

Deck the halls with boughs of holly…”

I think she said it perfectly.

ATOM is more than a collection of “fake firs”. It is a vault of priceless memories.

This was a Moment in America.