Nov. 1, 1952: Society series on Thanksgiving table settings. Finishing Touches: At the home of Mrs. W.O. Kelly, 1825 Oakland, she is assisted by Mrs. Jack Kelly in putting the last posies in place before the family dines. Damask, imported china and silver set this table.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
FORT WORTH
On Sunday, Nov. 9, 1952, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram featured a full page of photos of women showing off their tasteful Thanksgiving decor.
“Anticipating the great American holiday of Thanksgiving, local women demonstrate table settings and customs associated with the Pilgrims’ own day. Pictured are typical preparations which will abound here on “turkey day.”
Here are the photos that ran in the newspaper that day.
Nov. 1, 1952: From a society series on Thanksgiving table settings. The Country Kitchen: Before the dinner may be eaten, it must be prepared. Here, Mrs. Elbert W. Gunn, 3425 Worth Hills Drive, prepares “the noble bird.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
Nov. 1, 1952: From a society series on Thanksgiving table settings. Autumn tones are used, with flowers, pottery and place mats, as Mrs. J.J. Hurley of 5001 Dexter tries out table decoration ideas for a holiday morning meal. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
Nov. 1, 1952: Society series on Thanksgiving table settings. Finishing Touches: At the home of Mrs. W.O. Kelly, 1825 Oakland, she is assisted by Mrs. Jack Kelly in putting the last posies in place before the family dines. Damask, imported china and silver set this table. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
Nov. 1, 1952: Society series on Thanksgiving table settings. Formal Dinner: Fruit and flowers, combined with crystal, fine china and linen, sets the table for the Penner family dinner at 1406 Thomas PIace. From left, Mrs. Ted Penner, Mrs. J.H. Penner, and grandsons Danny, right, and Henry. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
Nov. 1, 1952: Society Series on Thanksgiving table settings. “Father, We Thank Thee”: Mrs. Oliver Shannon, 1407 Grand Ave., says “grace before meat” at the children’s table, with her grandchildren, left to right: Ann Shannon Lewis, J.O. Shannon III, Joseph Stocking Lewis, Glenn W. Stewart Jr. and Judith Helen Stewart. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
Bonus photos ... these appeared in December 1952 as folks got ready for Christmas.
Nov. 12, 1952: From a series on holiday decoration. Coffee table decorations with Mmes. Richard C. Newkirk Jr., William W. Collins and W.H. Slay Jr. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
Dec. 26, 1952: Society series on holiday festivities. Fireside Tidbits: Mr. and Mrs. Don Willoughby, right, and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Watkins. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archives/UT Arlington Special Collections
MORE: Check out other historic photo galleries from the Star-Telegram archives here, including these:
Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.
