Oh, Tannenbaum!

Wylie the diarist recorded Bloomington’s first holiday tree

By Rose McIlveen

The year was 1874. Hermann B. Boisen, who had been born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, taught at IU from 1870 to 1874 and left to teach at the State Normal School at Terre Haute. Boisen had married a Bloomingtonian, and they were visiting their IU friends during the holidays.

Theophilus Wylie, an IU professor and voluminous diarist, wrote that even as a visitor in Bloomington, Boisen carried out the German custom.

Wylie described what Boisen did. “...on Thursday morning (Christmas Eve) Hermann (Prof. Boisen) came from Terre Haute & made another rejoicing.”

Continued Wylie, “All day Thursday Prof. & others (not the children) arranged a beautiful Xmas tree in the German style. A Balm in Gilead we used to call it (Canada pine or fir) was placed on a table in the middle of the parlor and decorated with bonbons & lights. The Xmas presents were arranged on tables around it.”

It was obvious that the decorated tree was primarily for the children, because they were not permitted to see it until later in the day. Wylie wrote, “It was delightful when the appointed hour came to see the joy of the little ones...”

The custom of decorating a tree was not adopted by the Wylie family, and the Christmas of 1877 apparently was not celebrated by that family. Wylie noted in his diary, “Christmas Tuesday. A distressing matter at home will prevent present making.”

But by 1876, the Boisens had returned to Bloomington from Terre Haute, and in 1878, the Christmas tree was again an honored part of the celebration. That year Wylie wrote, “Xmas eve spent Prof. Boisen’s. They had a Xmas tree in full German style, decorated with candles & candy & presents on the tables around...Exercises introduced by an Xmas sing by Lou & Christian. Then the distribution & shouts of joy of the youngsters...”

The Christmas tree reappeared in Wylie’s diary on Dec. 28, 1879. Wylie’s diary entry on that date looked back over several days. “Corrected papers Monday Tuesday. Wednesday evening had an Xmas tree much to the delight of babes Boisen & Wylie...It was beautifully arranged by H. (Hermann) B.B. (Boisen)...After supper the doors were opened, the eyes & mouths of the little boys were opened as they gazed on the tree.”

Boisen left the university in 1880 and headed East. But the tradition of the Christmas tree had taken root, and lingered behind him in Bloomington. We know that because of Wylie’s diary. On Dec. 29, 1885, there is a very brief mention of it. “Christmas last Friday. Thursday Eve. Xmas tree no strangers but H.S. Wise B Brown & his & Wylie M & and the family.”