Joplin City Hall’s Holiday Windows are back!
The 2022 edition of the Joplin City Hall Holiday Windows has been lit as part of their holiday spirit in downtown Joplin.
As part of the City’s holiday appearance, Visit Joplin has installed a “stained glass” holiday scene in the front windows of our office in City Hall. The window looks out onto Main Street/Route 66.
“Tis the Season at Newman’s Department Store” draws from past images of the City Hall building when it was a flagship department store. The three-pane painted vinyl panels resemble a stained-glass effect, and compliment last year’s windows, “Santa’s Stop in Joplin” (Santa and some puppy pals taking a break at Joplin’s Grand Falls).
The 2022 series, like last year’s, was painted by local muralist Sandra Pemberton.
In this year’s windows:
- Depicted in the center and right panes are Newman’s Toyland featuring several memorable toys from days gone day. Those who look closely will recognize an old friend – Boomer the Groundhog! Boomer served as Visit Joplin’s mascot for several years and again makes an appearance to wish everyone a happy holiday!
- The left pane draws upon newspaper ads showing what the best dressed were wearing for the holiday season when being dapper meant everything.
Nostalgia in the details:
- In the lower right corner of the far-right pane is a “Toyland 2nd Floor” sign paying tribute to the work of Robert O. Isaac, Newman’s window decorator from 1946-1956, whose signs and advertisements were done freehand.
- In the lower-left corner of the center pane is a Newman’s brand proudly displayed on hat boxes and seasonal gift boxes.
- The lower left corner of the far-left panel is from a past Newman’s holiday advertisement, “The Stars Are Out for the Holidays”, expressing the best store to shop for your holiday fashions.
Patrick Tuttle, Visit Joplin director, says, “The tradition of decorating the windows continues the practice started by Newman’s Department Store, the building’s original inhabitant.” Additionally, Visit Joplin participates in the Downtown Joplin Alliance’s effort to decorate downtown storefronts.
Tuttle concluded, “Though the winter scene can be viewed by residents and guests alike at any time, the stained-glass effect is best observed at night when they are lit from behind. The holiday scene will be in place until January 3rd.”