Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Everyone knows the iconic image of Santa Claus, with the big belly and the red suit.  But did you know that he was born in New York?  The image of the modern Santa was born in the imagination of Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote a poem about St. Nicholas.  The poem linked St. Nicholas to Christmas, and as a result, Santa Claus started to become part of the American Christmas celebration.  Until January 10th, the New York Historical Society (Central Park West at 76th) traces some of Santa’s roots with “It Happened Here: The Invention of Santa Claus.”  Come to the Society’s Great Hall gallery to see Robert Weir’s 1837 painting of a rather sly St. Nicholas, Thomas Nast’s Harper’s Weekly cartoons of Santa, and even Clement Clarke Moore’s desk, helping you discover the birth and development of today’s Christmas icon.

It Happened Here: The Invention of Santa Claus

Now through Sunday, January 10th, 2010, $7-$12 (children under 12 are free and Friday evenings are “pay what you wish”)

New York Historical Society, Central Park West at 76th

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