Pretty Paper: Family Displays Paper Nativity Set For Over 40 Years

December 25, 2011

For over 40 years, the Cowen family has displayed his $2 paper nativity set on his lawn each Christmas.

Hugh Cowen’s grandfather purchased the do-it-yourself kit — a printed paper nativity designed to be glued to plywood and then varnished. It was sold for just $2 in the late 1950’s by The Douglas Fir Plywood Association of Tacoma, WA.

“Durable paper patterns printed in bright colors are specially made to use on fir plywood,” is how an ad in a 1959 Popular Science magazine describes the set. “Simply paste on plywood and cut out with saw…Exterior plywood makes figures last for years.”

“My dad says it is his last year putting it up,” Susan Cowen Langston said of her 78-year old father. “He is passing the baton to me. I help him every year and have learned just how he likes it done.”

The set is displayed at corner of Ninth Avenue and Keating Road, just north of Creighton Road.

Pictured top: A paper nativity scene that has been displayed for over 40 years. Pictured inset: A 1959 Popular Science advertisement offering the set for sale. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “Pretty Paper: Family Displays Paper Nativity Set For Over 40 Years”

  1. Charles Eastlick on December 25th, 2018 9:54 pm

    We had one exactly like this when I was a kid. I would love to find one and set it up in my yard. Anyone know where I might find one?

  2. Jim and Rita Mahler on December 9th, 2016 8:00 am

    My Husband and I have this same Nativity set. We got it from the township when they could no longer display it at a government place. We have displayed it nearly 40 years with straw behind it and a flood light to light it. It has taken a beating, and we would like to restore it, Any suggestions?

  3. Don on December 8th, 2014 11:19 am

    My story is like Tom’s. My father was a Baptist minister and he put up the same manger scene for almost 40 years. I still have the plywood cut outs, and some are in bad shape. I was surfing the internet looking for a good picture to maybe repaint the characters, or by chance find new surfaces to glue on. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the picture. Hoping to put the scene up for my grandchildren this year. Any help is appreciated.

  4. Tom Hojnacki on August 12th, 2012 2:57 pm

    To the Cowen family,
    When I saw your nativity scene I could believe it. My dad and uncle put together this same set as well as a santa claus out of the patterns from the plywood association. I know my uncle put this scene up for many years and when my wife and I bought this house that my uncle lived in we started to put up the nativity scene soon after and we probably have put it up about 34 of the 37 years that we have been here.
    I actually have almost a complete set of the figures that are still in the envelope that they were sent in from the plywood association. I’m missing the Baby Jesus print.
    Our house is in a book from Mary Edsey. It’s called The best Christmas decorations in Chicagoland . It;s on page 36
    Mary might have a web site, but I’m not sure.
    It was so nice to see your display……………………………..Tom Hojnacki

  5. mercyme on December 25th, 2011 4:18 pm

    Thank you for sharing the beauty and reminding us of the Savior.

  6. Willene on December 25th, 2011 7:19 am

    Beautiful

  7. Jane on December 25th, 2011 5:53 am

    It is beautiful! Please keep it up through all the future generations! Some traditions are worth the effort!

  8. Devastating Dave on December 25th, 2011 1:12 am

    I look forward to seeing this every year! My wife, a Pensacola native, has been admiring the nativity all her life! Well done! Merry Christmas to all!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News