This photo from the Springs Historical Society’s archives shows a decorated evergreen tree floating on a platform in Pussy’s Pond in Springs. Based on the photo technology, the image probably dates to the 1980s or early 1990s. The tree in Pussy’s Pond first floated in 1959, around the same time East Hampton Village began to float its tree in Town Pond, according to the East Hampton Star archive.
The Springs Village Improvement Society may have been responsible for the holiday spectacle, but the idea really originated and took float with Clarence E. (Kelly) King Jr. (1921-2010). In 1977, King explained to The Star’s Phyllis Reed that he was inspired to put the tree in Pussy’s Pond to cut down on mischief makers removing lightbulbs, a recurring problem for the tree he lit at nearby Ashawagh Hall. According to King, he approached Charlie Miller, who lived close enough to supply the power to the tree, and the two figured out how to stabilize the platform to float the first tree in the pond. When Miller moved, another neighbor, Eddie Hults, continued to provide power for the tree.
In 1977, the East Hampton Chamber of Commerce decided to reduce the number of trees it supplied in the community, putting the Pussy’s Pond tree on top of the list for cutbacks at the last minute. The chamber cited the number of times the Pussy’s Pond tree had been vandalized the prior year. Clarence King vowed to make sure the tradition would continue and arranged the installation with a donation from the Ganleys of Round Hearth Garden Center. In December 1978, The Star reported that the Springs Business Association donated a tree for Pussy’s Pond, which the Town Highway Department selected, continuing the tradition Clarence King started.
Since 1990, Ashawagh Hall’s Lights of Love benefit continues to build on Clarence King’s efforts to light up the green in Springs.
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Andrea Meyer is the head of the East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection.
