A postcard featuring Christ's Church, today Trinity United Church of Christ. The Evangelical Christ's Church was once affiliated with the German Lutheran congregation, until it merged with the German Reformed Church in 1953.
Courtesy of the Wayne County Historical Society
Rights held by the Wayne County Historical Society
Men in Front of Early Freedlander's Storefront 1895
David Louis Freedlander and the Founding of the Store
Herman Freedlander, far right, grew up helping his father at the store and began working there at the age of twelve.
Old Facade of Evangelical Christ's Church
In the interior lobby of the Trinity United Church of Christ stands the original facade of the church.
Men in Front of Early Freedlander's Storefront circa 1895
The original Freedlander’s was well known for men’s clothing, including hats, jackets, and pants.
Front of Trinity United Church of Christ
This is what the Trinity United Church of Christ, a congregation that merged the Evangelical Lutherans and English Reformed Church in 1953, looks like today.
Freedlander's Size Chart for Men and Women
Although Freedlander’s only sold men’s clothing when it opened, the store expanded to include women’s clothing, a toy department, and a milinery section.
Courtesy of Wayne County Historical Society
Rights held by Wayne County Historical Society
Photo of the front of Salem Lutheran Church, one of the oldest German Lutheran congregations in Wooster.
Mary Eberhart's Charge Card from Freedlander's
Freedlander’s customers often had charge cards, but eventually these gave way to credit cards around the 1970s.
Plaque Outside the Salem Lutheran Church
Plaque outside of the Salem Lutheran Church stating that the congregation was founded in 1828 by Reverend Weygandt.
Hat Box from Freedlander's Department Store
Many Wooster residents still remember the distinctive hat boxes and bags from Freedlander’s Department Store before its closing in 2009.
Christmas Sign from Freedlander's Department Store
Freedlander’s was a popular place during the Christmas shopping season, especially the Toyland Department and Santa.
Herman and Harold Freedlander, managers of Freedlander's 1961
Herman Freedlander and his son, Harold, both ran the store before it was sold to investors in the late 80s.
Photo of the Wooster Christmas Tree, located in the Wooster Cemetery, lit-up for Christmas.
Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and Local History Department
Courtesy of the Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and Public History Department
Rights held by the Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and Public History Department
Opening the Freedlander's on Dollar Day Sale
Dollar Day sales were a chaotic and well remembered event in the store’s history.
Residence of August Imgard, the man credited with bringing the Christmas tree to Wooster. This photo was taken before the house was moved to it's current located at St. Mary's Church.
Program from the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Christmas Tree in Wooster, 1947
Program from a religious celebration in Wooster's town square in 1947 to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the christmas tree in Wooster.
Tearing Down the Freedlander's Storefront in The Daily Record 2010
Wooster’s local newspaper, The Daily Record, documented the tearing down of the Freedlander storefront that had been a part of the town for more than 125 years.
Stamps Celebrating Wooster as the "Home of the First Christmas Tree"
Stamps sold in Wooster in the late 19th century that continued the legend of Wooster as the "home of the first Christmas tree."
The Freedlander’s storefront changed around the 1960s and stayed in that style until its closing in 2009.
Modern photo of August Imgard's house, the man credited with bringing the Christmas tree to Wooster. The building is now the rectory of St. Mary's Church.
College of Wooster German Professor, Dr. Scheiber
Photo of Dr. Scheiber, the German professor who first proved that Wooster was not the site of the first American Christmas tree by citing earlier instances in Cleveland and Buffalo, NY.
Painting of August Imgard, the man credited with bringing the Christmas Tree to Wooster. For many years, local legend suggested that he was the first to bring the Christmas tree to America.
Photograph of August Imgard, the man credited with bringing the Christmas Tree to Wooster. For many years, Wooster legend persisted that he brought the Christmas tree to the United States.
One Hundredth Anniversary of the Christmas Tree in Wooster
Jacob's Lutheran Cemetery and Foundation
Charles E. Thorne, OARDC's First Director 1887-1921
Agricultural experiment stations--United States; Agricultural experiment stations; Agriculture--Ohio
Charles E. Thorne started working at the OAES as a foreman right after graduating college. When he noticed the station was not near as large or successful as it could have been (mostly due to its location in Columbus), the young man started sharing his opinions with the administrative board. They approved of Thorne's grand visions and passion for the OAES and hired him as that station's first full-time director in 1887. Thorne was instrumental in the move from Columbus to Wooster in 1892, which led to the OAES's later success.
Cumo, C., and R.E. Whitmoyer. Seeds of Change: A History of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Wooster Book, 2000.
No Copyright - United States
Across the Street from the Remnants of Jacob's Lutheran Church
Photo taken across the street from the remnants of Jacob's Lutheran Church, featuring the junction signs.
First building on OARDC's Wooster campus, built Spring 1893.
Agricultural experiment stations--United States; Agricultural experiment stations; Agriculture--Ohio; Buildings
Building a strong campus for the OARDC in Wooster took many years. The first building on campus is pictured here, erected in spring 1893.
Photo of the Jacob's Lutheran Cemetery and Foundation in Franklin Township.
Photo the Jacob's Lutheran Cemetery in Franklin Township.