Backstory: Chestnuts

In 1945, when songwriter Bob Wells first penned the line "chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." chestnuts were as much a part of the Christmas season as eggnog and gingerbread. And then, just a few years after Nat King Cole recorded his iconic version of that song...they weren't. What happened? It's one of the few examples from recent history of a Christmas tradition dying out — literally — in a single generation. Is it lost forever? Or are we poised for a roasty toasty Christmas comeback story? Thank you to Sarah Fitzsimmons, director of restoration with the American Chestnut Foundation, for appearing in this episode. Music in this episode "Home for the Holidays" — Chris Haugen, via Youtube Audio Library "Feelings of Twilight" — Shady Dave, via Freesound "Angles We Have Heard" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "Fresh Fallen Snow" — Chris Haugen, via Free Music Archive "The Christmas Song" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist Share a Christmas memory on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected] Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasPastPodcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173778110150282 Twitter: https://twitter.com/XmasPastPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christmaspastofficial/ CONNECT WITH ME Links to social media and more https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: [email protected] MY BOOKS Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)