Transylvania County businesses have a long history of Christmas celebrations. By the early 1900s, the Silversteens were holding annual holiday gatherings for their employees, celebrations that brought the community together. These were held for those in Rosman from his Gloucester Lumber Office and later for those at his Transylvania Tanning Operation in Brevard. One 1908 event at their Brevard home was described as including a beautifully trimmed tree with “the yard under the tree […] larger than ever before and contained tiny toy fowls and animals that greatly pleased the children. The little green and red picket fence surrounding it, gave a touch of completeness to the whole. All the children and old people received oranges and Christmas stockings filled with candy and Mr. Aiken very kindly entertained the callers with his excellent phonograph.”

By 1943, Ecusta Paper Mill held its first Christmas party for “future Ecusta employees,” separating the event into five one-hour sessions to accommodate the many children of Ecusta employees. 1944’s Christmas event boasted about 1000 children in attendance. Ecusta parties in the years following included movies, visits with Santa Claus and other treats. In 1950, Ecusta celebrations expanded to include a Christmas dance for teens. The dance’s invitations were for teenagers of Ecusta employees, but also allowed for one guest, opening the celebration to the larger community.

After its opening in Brevard, DuPont Employee Recreation Association (DERA) also held annual Christmas parties. A December 1968 DuPont Newsletter announced, “a smorgasbord dinner will be served at Berry’s Restaurant.” It clarified that the dinner that year was being moved from the Legion to allow for more space since past events had such large gatherings. Dinner would be served from 6pm to 9pm, and a dance would begin later. Tickets were $3 per couple, including the meal.

The 1971 DERA Christmas Party was enjoyed by “about 500 little Du Ponters” who enjoyed movies, bingo, popcorn, cokes and Santa Claus. The Jan/Feb 1972 newsletter noted that “little appetites are big in size based on popcorn and coke consumed.” Later DERA Kid’s Christmas parties included puppet shows and life-size cartoon characters like Papa Smurf, Frosty the Snowman, and Cookie Monster. The December 1982 newsletter reported that Santa and all the characters rode in a pick-up truck to get lunch and that, “Christmas dinner in costume – as publicly as possible – is becoming a tradition!”

Ecusta’s newsletter “The Echo” as well as Dupont’s Fotofax newsletters are available on digitalnc.org and available to view in the library’s Rowell Bosse North Caroline Room. This article was written by Local History Associate Erin Weber Boss. For more information, comments, or suggestions, contact NC Room staff at [email protected] or 828-884-1820.