These charming videos allow us to see Walter Gropius, the German architect who founded the Bauhaus School in 1919, celebrating two Christmases—1963 and 1964—and his last birthday, in 1969, with family. It’s fun to get glimpses of the design choices in his home: the star that tops the Christmas tree, the stemware at table, the white mid-century coffee cups and saucers. Touching is the 86th birthday party, his last. One of the gifts is a clear glass cylinder that holds blue water. Tipping it from side to side the water rolls and crests like ocean waves in Honolulu. Walter is fascinated. —L.J.