Jackson Bell Members of the Burbank Historical...

Jackson Bell

Members of the Burbank Historical Society have decided to reveal

to the public 75 Christmas tree ornaments and other holiday

decorations that date as far back as the turn of the 20th century.

They are in a display at the Gordon R. Howard Museum.

Society founder Mary Jane Strickland said the antique decorations

in the exhibit are at least 92 years old.

They were originally owned by Emily Payton Forbes, the first

female city clerk in Burbank, and her family when they first moved to

the city in 1910. After years of passing them through the

generations, her granddaughter, Verna Forbes Willson, finally donated

them to the society 25 years ago. This is the first year the

decorations have been exhibited.

“They are so unusual and different,” Strickland said. “We decided

to put them on display because everyone kept on saying, ‘Oh my God,

they’re so interesting.’”

The museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays and is at 115 N.

Lomita St. on the grounds of George Izay Park. Visits to the museum

are free of charge and the exhibit will run through the end of the

month. For more information, call 846-0857 or 846-6337.