A visit with Santa Claus and his Loyal Elves

Join Santa Claus and his loyal elves for the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum's special holiday celebration at Norwalk's City Hall, (Community Room), on December 5, at 4 p.m.

Santa will greet all children, naughty or nice, and hear their Christmas wishes before he heads back to the North Pole to prepare for his big night.

Holiday treats, such as warm apple cider, hot chocolate, and cookies will be served while families shop for gifts at the Mansion’s pop-up Gift Shop Corner featuring Christmas ornaments, museum-centric accessories, and an eclectic mix of gift items including logo embroidered totes, vintage and designer jewelry, scarves and books for people of all ages.

Although the legend of Santa Claus is steeped in ancient traditions dating back to the third century, and later re-interpreted by the Dutch with the story of Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus and the gift-giving Christmas tradition was popularized in America by renowned author Washington Irving in the early nineteenth century.

“Irving advanced Christmas as the festive pageant of presents and feasting that now dominates the American winter calendar.” (The National Endowment for the Humanities). Thomas Nast, a renowned Victorian cartoonist is credited with creating the modern image of Santa Claus.

This event is free. Santa is very busy this time of year, thus we are asking that you RSVP for each child. If you are able, please consider adding a $5 donation per child so that the Museum may continue to provide programming for curious, young historians.

Illustration: Library of Congress O'Neill, Rose Cecil, 1874-1944, artist (publ. J. Ottmann Lith. Co., Puck Bldg., 1903 December 2)

Photos (2018-2020) courtesy of Sarah Grote and Gus Apazidis

Host or Publisher Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum