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Explore our extensive collection of nearly 7,000 Hallmark ornaments made between 1973 and 2009. Be sure to visit Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark ® Keepsake Ornaments, permanently on display inside Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
Founded by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall in 1910, Hallmark did not start with ornaments but with cards. At a young age, J.C. Hall opened a postcard company in a small town in Nebraska. With limited opportunities, he crammed two shoeboxes full of postcards and boarded a train for Kansas City, Missouri, where he and his brother opened a stationery store. When a fire wiped out the store’s inventory, the brothers bought an engraving firm, setting the stage for the first Hallmark card designs.
Hallmark revolutionized Christmas decorating in the late 20th century by developing an increasing variety of ornaments for a wide range of distinctly different customers. In 1973, Hallmark introduced a small line of Keepsake ornaments. These ornaments according to the company, “capture meaningful moments, honor special relationships, express who you are, and help you relive timeless memories, year after year.” The initial product line of primarily glass ball ornaments evolved into an emphasis on figural ornaments.
Relive holiday memories, remember special people and events, and find new inspiration for your own holiday traditions as you experience the artistry and creativity that went into creating each Keepsake ornament.
Highlights
Hallmark "Kermit and Miss Piggy: On Frozen Pond" Christmas Ornament, 2003
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
2003
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
Creators
Object ID
2019.65.3683
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "Kermit and Miss Piggy: On Frozen Pond" Christmas Ornament, 2003
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "Letters to Santa" Christmas Ornament, 2006
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
2006
Summary
This ornament depicts Santa looking over his correspondence from hopeful children. Pulling the bell below the ornament, you hear actual kids' voices read the letters, while several toys around Santa's desk move. Hallmark writers created the scripts for the eight humorous letters. And the children's voices? Moms, dads, and grandmas who worked at Hallmark brought in their young family members for the recording.
Keywords
Object ID
2019.65.5337
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "Letters to Santa" Christmas Ornament, 2006
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "The PEANUTS Gang Series: The Sunday Funnies" Christmas Ornament, 2007
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
2007
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
Keywords
Peanuts (Fictitious characters)
Brown, Charlie (Fictitious character)
Object ID
2019.65.6121
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "The PEANUTS Gang Series: The Sunday Funnies" Christmas Ornament, 2007
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "Our Family Photo Holder" Christmas Ornament, 2006
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
2006
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
Keywords
Object ID
2019.65.6351
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "Our Family Photo Holder" Christmas Ornament, 2006
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "STAR WARS: Yoda" Christmas Ornament, 1997
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
1997
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments appealed to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes. Beginning in 1996 with the Millennium Falcon, Hallmark produced a long line of Star Wars ornaments over the years.
Keywords
Object ID
2019.65.197
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "STAR WARS: Yoda" Christmas Ornament, 1997
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "Cell-ebrate!" Christmas Ornament, 2007
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
2007
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes. Hallmark's ornaments have also kept pace with everyday technology. Cellphones were in common use when this ornament was released.
Keywords
Object ID
2019.65.217
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "Cell-ebrate!" Christmas Ornament, 2007
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "Classic American Cars Series: 1966 Mustang" Christmas Ornament, 1992
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
1992
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments appealed to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes. This 1966 Mustang ornament was the second in its "Classic American Cars" series. The first was a 1957 Corvette.
Keywords
Object ID
2019.65.60
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "Classic American Cars Series: 1966 Mustang" Christmas Ornament, 1992
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Hallmark "Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat: The Cat Arrives!" Christmas Ornament, 2003
Artifact
Christmas tree ornament
Date Made
2003
Summary
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
Object ID
2019.65.3686
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Hallmark "Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat: The Cat Arrives!" Christmas Ornament, 2003
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
