Located at the Corner of Combs
and West Main Street
Collinsville, IL 62234
December 2025 ~ Our Christmas Memories
Our photo album scrapbook of pictures taken of the Christmas tree decorations in The D.D. Collins House in 2025. We thank the Collinsville Garden Club for all their hard work and everyone who contributed to our wonderful Christmas display!
Christmas cheer with displays of Christmas trees of yesteryear . . .
𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕞𝕒𝕤
𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞
𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔻.𝔻. ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕤 ℍ𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖
Our Trees
Just in case you haven’t been able to visit the Collins House this holiday season or was not able to do the Holiday House Tour, wanted you to see the wonderful example of a typical tree from the 1960s. This tree is featured in the kitchen and sits atop the antique dough board. Aluminum trees were all the rage during this era. They were usually decorated with trendy colorful orbs and lighted by up lights that made the shiny branches glisten and glimmer. The aluminum tree transported traditional holiday decor into a contemporary more modern style.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Let’s take a step back this time to the 1940s. This tree is situated in the Dining Room of the D.D. Collins House. The tree is decorated with garland of strung popcorn, colorful glass ornaments of old, and ribbons of quotes from “T’was the Night Before Christmas “. So apropos as this is the room where Santa listened to children who whispered their wishes to him.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
The tree is decorated with garland of strung popcorn, colorful glass ornaments of old, and ribbons of quotes from “T’was the Night Before Christmas “. So apropos as this is the room where Santa listened to children who whispered their wishes to him.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Photos taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Thank you to the Edwardsville Historic Preservation Agency and the Olin Estate for their contributions.
The Living Room Parlor features a Victorian Christmas tree decorated with unique Victorian ornaments and antique beaded garland.
Photos taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Another angle of the Living Room Parlor Victorian Christmas tree and the fireplace with greens upon the mantle.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Simple greens are spread along the mantle.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
A smaller tree is also found in the parlor.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
This one is adorned with miniature handwoven baskets, dried oranges, and candles. Popcorn and cranberries were used to create the garland which would have been draped on the tree.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
The tree in the bedroom of the Collins House has been decorated with ornaments made by a second-grade class at Renfro School. We'll take a closer look below ....
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
A little closer look at the tree in the bedroom of the Collins House has been decorated with ornaments made by a second-grade class at Renfro School.
Isn't it delightful?
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
A close-up of at the tree in the bedroom of the Collins House has been decorated with ornaments made by a second-grade class at Renfro School.
A very special tree indeed!
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
How charming! One of the ornaments made by a second-grade class at Renfro School ~ even the Grinch has been to the D.D. Collins House. Uh-oh!....
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
The sweetest little tree decked with ornaments is another one of the ornaments made by a second-grade class at Renfro School ~
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
What a wonderful snowman! Yes, another spectacular ornament made by a second-grade class at Renfro School ~
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
How cute is this ornament?
Visions of sugar plums ....
made by a second-grade class at Renfro School .
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Look what just landed in the bedroom of the Collins House.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Our snowman safely piloted his antique metal plane onto the antique dresser top.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
The antique doll must have been some little girl’s best friend.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
She seems quite comfortable sitting atop the dresser with legs outstretched across the antique straw sun hat.
Photo taken by Carolyn Welch,
December 7, 2025.
Phone: Call Lavadna at 618.420.0288
Mail: c/o 104 Irene Dr., Collinsville, IL 62234
Email: artloft@charter.net