November 21, 2007
Civil War Santa Visits Pamplin Historical Park, Nov 23 & Dec 15
Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier invites visitors to get into the holiday spirit with a 19th century-inspired Santa Claus. Guests can have their photograph taken with a Santa Claus dressed in 1860s costume from 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm on Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 15. Visiting “Civil War Santa” is free and open to the public.
“We have invited Civil War Santa to the Park for many years,” said Brian Musselwhite, Assistant Chief of Interpretation at Pamplin Historical Park. “People are always surprised to see that the image of Santa we know today originated 140 years ago during the American Civil War.”
Santa’s outfit is based on an illustration by the famous cartoonist Thomas Nast. “Santa Claus in Camp” appeared on the January 3, 1863 cover of Harper’s Weekly. Nast’s drawing, based on descriptions of Saint Nicholas from Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (more commonly known as “Twas the night before Christmas”), shows Santa Claus visiting a Civil War camp and handing out gifts to children and soldiers. The illustration depicts Santa in his sleigh pulled by reindeer, with a long white beard, star-covered coat, stripped pants, and furry hat. Pamplin Historical Park will have a copy of the 1863 HarperÔø?s Weekly cover on display for guests to enjoy.
Also, Pamplin Historical Park Members receive a 20% holiday discount on merchandise at The Civil War Store every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.
For additional information about taking pictures with Civil War Santa or the Members’ discount, please call (804) 861-2408.
One of “Virginia’s Best Places to Visit” according to the Travel Channel, and recently designated as a National Historic Landmark, Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier is a 422-acre Civil War campus located in Dinwiddie County offering a combination of high-tech museums and hands-on experiences. The Park has four world-class museums, four antebellum homes and costumed living history every day. The Park is also the site of the Breakthrough Battlefield of April 2, 1865 and America’s newest participatory experience, Civil War Adventure Camp.
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