The holidays in Stuy Town throughout the years

Santa (Town & Village publisher Charles G. Hagedorn) arrives at the Oval where he took over 250 photos with kids in 1949. (Photo from T&V archives)

By Sabina Mollot
While much of the talk about Stuyvesant Town these days is about how much the place has changed in recent years, one thing that’s managed to remain the same is the community’s celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah.
Putting up Christmas decorations and a nativity scene on the Oval along with an ornamented tree has been a tradition for decades. Another longstanding tradition has been having Santa take pictures with residents, from kids to seniors. It was in 1949 when Charles Hagedorn, the publisher of this newspaper, donned a Santa suit to hear the Christmas wishes of over 250 children in Stuy Town. The appearance was sponsored by the Town & Village Camera Club with proceeds from each photo taken going towards the Town & Village Polio Fund for the Willard Parker Hospital. (A total of $253 was raised.)
In the Stuy Town community, other traditions during Christmas time have included tree lighting ceremonies, caroling and the occasional concert. Hanukkah too has also been recognized, celebrated over the decades with menorah lightings led by a resident rabbi and activities for kids and families.

Santa (Town & Village publisher Charles G. Hagedorn) arrives at the Oval where he took over 250 photos with kids in 1949. (Photo from T&V archives)

In 1949, Town & Village’s staff artist Edward Caswell created this Christmas-inspired illustration.

This Edward Caswell illustration ran originally in Town & Village in 1951 and has also run in many other Christmas week issues since then.

Kids gather around the tree in 1976. (T&V archives)

Recreation staffers decorate a tree on the Oval in 1978. (T&V archives)

Stuy Town Christmas decorations in 1982 (T&V archives)

Stuy Town Rabbi Julius Gershon Neumann helps a child light the menorah in 1982. (T&V archive photo)

Decorations in 1983 (from T&V archives)

Nativity scene in Stuy Town in 1983

Families attend he menorah lighting in 1985. (T&V archive photo)

ST/PCV general manager Steve Stadmeyer at the tree lighting in 2006.

Kids chase after snowflake lights by the fountain in 2006.

Pre-ice rink, figure skaters had a home on the Oval as well as other nondenominational holiday decorations in 2006. (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

The holidays are celebrated with a concert by rock band Fountains of Wayne in 2007. There was also a performance by a chorus and several original residents were invited to light the Christmas tree, a 44-foot spruce.