The December Holiday meeting of the Goschenhoppen Historians will feature a detailed presentation on the historic development of Santa Claus, as we know him today. Historian and noted speaker Joshua Fink will trace the history of Santa Claus from his origins and how Christ Kindle, Sinter Claus and St. Nicholas influenced the creation of the present iconic figure. He will explain how writers as diverse as Washington Irving and Clement C. Moore, and illustrator Thomas Nast have helped to shape our modern image of Santa as a rotund man with a white beard who wears a red cap and delivers presents to children all over the world. Mr. Fink and his wife Jennifer are enamored of Christmas with its many religious and secular traditions and have collected many old items, tales and stories that inform his broad knowledge of the holiday.
Mr. Fink’s PowerPoint presentation will be supplemented by a display of vintage Santa Clauses in all shapes and sizes selected by Kevin Woodland from his extensive collection of Christmas ornaments and associated items. Many Upper Perkiomen Valley residents saw a large selection of Mr. Woodland’s vintage Christmas ornaments last year on display at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg. Notably absent from that exhibit were examples from his large collection of Santa figures, which will be exhibited at this meeting.
The meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Red Men’s Hall, the Historians’ headquarters, located at 116 Gravel Pike (Route 29) in Green Lane. As with all meetings of the Historians, there is no charge and the public is invited to attend. In recognition of the season, a very special selection of holiday treats will be on hand at the end of the meeting to satisfy hungry appetites. More information can be obtained at 215-234-4119.
