Holiday Tradition in Elmhurst: Decking the library halls

The building has changed, but the tradition has not.

The Elmhurst Garden Club has been the sole Christmas decorators of the Elmhurst Public Library for the last 57 years. The long-standing holiday tradition started in 1952 when the library was located at the Wilder Mansion and the decor was much simpler.

(L) Transforming Elmhurst Public Library into a Christmas fairyland are members of the Elmhurst Garden Club who make the project their main Yule activity every year. This photo was printed in the Elmhurst Press newspaper in Dec. 1961. SUBMITTED PHOTO (R) Elaine Mueller and Ruth Hanck of Elmhurst, making Raffia Bows for the Christmas tree at the Elmhurst library on December 1, 2004. FILE PHOTO

Nan Olson, a past president and longtime club member, has taken part in the decorating for 27 years and can recall how the Elmhurst Garden Club has had to adapt its decorating style to the new library space.

“It has changed drastically,” she says. “When we used to decorate the library in the old mansion, we decorated each room which lent itself to small decorations and flower arrangements.”

She remembers using clothes pins to make dolls in the likeness of characters from the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” one year while decorating the mansion. Small adornments like these had to be done on a much larger scale when the library moved to its current location on Prospect Avenue in 2003.

“It’s so big. The ceilings are so tall,” Olson says of the library’s current building. “Now, we do large trees and wreaths ... including an eight-foot Christmas tree.”

Also as far as changes, Olson says that in light of the library’s fire regulations, the garden club has had to switch from using real flowers and plants to artificial ones.

Marilyn Boria, director of the Elmhurst Public Library, says the Elmhurst Garden Club’s decor have gone through a number of transitions since its beginning, including the Wilder Mansion, the Wilder Mansion expansion in 1965 and the 8,000 square-foot facility that currently harbors the library.

“We are very grateful that they’ve given of their time and talent for the last 57 years to decorate our library,” she says.   “The public loves the decorations. They really stand out ... and are quite lovely.”

The club’s holiday decorating won state honors in 2001 from The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc.

Georgia Dolan, a seven-year member of the club, says the process starts in August or September with a design concept. From there, the Elmhurst Garden Club works on executing their design, which is oftentimes built on a theme, with funds from the club’s annual garden walk, she says.

Decorating the entryway, first and second floors, the children’s department and the library’s front display case takes about half a day with the help of 10 to 12 club members, Dolan says. Some of their decor is handmade.

“I like design. I like the aesthetics of it,” says Dolan, who was recently the chairperson of the design committee. “Decorating with this group is a lot of fun.”

This year’s theme is a “A Green Christmas,” as the Elmhurst Garden Club plans to post tips as to how to have a eco-friendly Christmas in addition to their decorations. Also, Dolan says, “This year, there’s going to be a brand new Christmas tree with new ornaments.” The decorations at the library will remain up until the first Tuesday in January.

As the Elmhurst Garden Club looks to continue its holiday tradition of decorating the library, they’ve already started a new tradition last year, Olson says.

“Not only do we decorate the library, now we decorate the restored Wilder Mansion too,” she says. “This is something we enjoy doing and will keep on doing year after year.”
 

CHECK OUT THE DECORATIONS
WHERE Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst
HOURS 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The library will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
COST: Free
CONTACT Elmhurst Public Library, (630) 279-8696