Happy Halloween!


AboveĀ is a Halloween party thrown at the residence of Flavia Waters Champe in 1950.

Many children have fond memories of Halloween. That memory often consists of candy gathering, parties with friends, or dressing in costumes and pretending to be someone else. The importance of the mask in history is the topic of much literature, and I would direct you to other sources for a more in-depth look. Most people today donā€™t put much thought into the history of masks when he or she is deciding what character to portray.

 


Above is from October of 1939, this is a group photo of several children in attendance of a Halloween party at Leo & Don Manke’s residence at 404 South 48th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska.Ā  Although there are no costumes present, on the table can be seen a jack-o-lantern and doughnuts. (RG2158.PH000015-000007)

 

History Nebraska has some wonderful photos taken of children and adults who are in attendance at various Halloween gatherings and parties. Because the state has a wide range of immigrant influences, European traditions regarding Halloween have often been localized cultural events. Of course, the traditions had to adjust a bit, as well. The pumpkin, for instance, replaced the English turnip as the gourd of choice when carving a jack-o-lantern. A lot of credit for Halloweenā€™s popularity goes to the Irish.


Above is seven people in a band at a Halloween party, all in costume in Lincoln, NE for a Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company party.

 

But a ghost is a ghost, and that costume, hat and mask have symbolically been around to protect the wearer for a long time. In the early days, costumes were hand-made, as is evident from many in these images. It is estimated that Americans spend $6.9 billion dollars annually on Halloween costumes, home decorations andĀ  Halloween in general. This makes the holiday the countryā€™s second largest commercial holiday.


AboveĀ is a group portrait of children dressed for Halloween in Crawford, Nebraska. They are portraying wizards (I guess) and a few are even identified. Bonita, Jim and Jean Ivins are the center three. They stand next to Orville Ivin’s home in Crawford. (RG3422.PH000003-000012)

Also from the early days of Crawford is this group portrait of children dressed in homemade Halloween costumes. (RG3422.PH000003-000011)

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About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
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