Press Release
November 23, 2016
Contact: Renee Trindle
Sod House Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-463-2441
sodhouse@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/sodhouse
Santas from Around the World to Visit Sod House Museum
ALINE, Okla. — The Sod House Museum southeast of Aline will host Santas from around the world on Saturday, December 10, as a part of its Christmas Open House celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Martha Ray of Pawnee and other reenactors will portray the Santas and counterparts from around the world.
The history and legend of Santa Claus can be traced back to a monk named St. Nicholas who gave away his wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. Over the course of many years, Nicholas’s popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children. The publication of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in 1823 helped to create the image of the America Santa as a cheerful man with a full white beard, carrying a sack full of toys and flying from house to house in a sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer to deliver presents for children.
This gift giver was known all over the world by other names, such as Christkind or Kris Kringle who delivered presents to well-behaved Swiss and German children. Scandinavian children enjoyed Jultomten, a jolly elf who delivered gifts in a sleigh drawn by goats. Father Christmas visits English children’s homes on Christmas Eve filling their stockings with holiday treats. French children’s shoes are filled with candy by Pere Noel. In Russia it is believed an elderly woman named Babouschka visits Russian children on January 5 leaving gifts at their bedsides in the hope that one of them is the baby Jesus.
Visitors can meet these Santas while visiting the museum. After photos with these jolly souls, patrons are invited to have cookies and hot cider provided by the Friends of the Sod House Museum.
The Sod House Museum is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located southeast of Aline on State Highway 8. For more information please contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org.
The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
