Packard Proving Grounds to present ‘’Twas a Night Before Christmas 1939’

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Packard Proving Grounds is bringing back a historical Christmas setting with ’Twas a Night Before Christmas 1939,” which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20.

The unique event will transport guests back in time to celebrate the holiday season as it was in 1939, 85 years ago. The evening will feature historically accurate decorations, activities and storytelling reflective of the era. Along with historic Lodge tours, Santa will arrive in a 1937 Packard convertible; traditional crafts and activities will be available for children; storytelling will be by Mrs. Claus; and vintage Christmas cartoons, all from 1939, will be shown.

Everyone is also welcome to enjoy a cup of cocoa, eat a cookie and write a letter to give to Santa.

Each child who comes to the event is welcome to make their own mini-newspaper chain and decorate an ornament to take home to decorate their Christmas tree at home.

Santa will ride into the Packard Proving Grounds in the back of the convertible at 5 p.m. when the gates open, weather permitting.

Santa will be seated under a lighted garland arch inside the repair garage, where he can meet visitors. Each child will receive a traditional candy cane.

Mary Anne Demo, the Packard Proving Grounds executive director, said Christmas in 1939 was all about family and tradition.

“We’re excited to offer this nostalgic event that brings history to life and creates new memories for families.”

The Packard Proving Grounds became fully operational in 1928.

Kim Parr, the curator at the Packard Proving Grounds, said their goal with this event is to lead up to the grounds’ 100th anniversary in 2028.

“Following the timeline that the Vincent family lived in the Lodge allows us to recognize the years 1928 to 1942. Having a focus on each year that they lived here will help us develop our story of how world events affected life and work at the Packard Proving Grounds. It also allows our guests to learn something new every year they come to this event,” she said.

2027 will correspond to 1942, the last year that Packard Proving Grounds Superintendent Charles Vincent and his family lived in the Albert Kahn-designed lodge on the property. The grounds were then leased for proving military vehicles during World War II.

Parr said this event will offer a chance to see the lodge house decorated and aglow, and also to learn about life at the Packard Proving Grounds during 1939.

“It was the year when we, as a country, we’re pulling out of the Great Depression. It was the year when Packard was busy building a new structure to help build the Rolls Royce Merlin aircraft engine that helped us support our allies overseas before we entered WWII. Packard was also celebrating its 40th anniversary,” she said.

She said 1939 was the year that the world was introduced to Nestle’s Toll House Cookies and the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Radio was the center of attention for home entertainment.

“Each year our guests will learn something new as we feature the years when the Vincent family lived in the lodge: 1928-1942. We will progress through this timeframe working towards our 100th anniversary in 2028, when we will start at the beginning to feature the year 1928. I hope people take advantage of this truly unique and wonderful Christmas event,” she said.

The tour guides during this Christmas event will be portraying Lucile Vincent — Charles Vincent’s wife — and Raymond G. Heinrich, who lived and worked on the grounds as the chief mechanic.

Bruce Webster is portraying Heinrich, who lived in a dorm room above the lodge garage.

“I am an amateur historian with an interest in automotive history and other subjects. A number of these topics come together during the history of the Packard Proving Grounds, including automotive history, especially engines; World War II; aircraft engine design; and aircraft radio development.”

He was an engine engineer for Chrysler for 36 years.

“I hope to do justice to Ray’s experiences in 1939 and perhaps in later years in future enactments,” he said.

For more information, visit packardprovinggrounds.org. The Packard Proving Grounds is located at 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township.