VIRTUAL PROGRAM: The History and Folklore of Santa Claus

Tuesday, December 217:00—8:00 PMOnlineTewksbury Public Library300 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA, 01876

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Meeting via email.**  

Many folks know that our modern-day Santa Claus had his start as St. Nicholas, but what happened on the journey to make us think of a "jolly old elf" rather than a pious Christian bishop? Where, exactly, did Santa Claus come from, and why does his popularity remain so high in modern American popular culture? This illustrated lecture is well-researched, with details on the journey Bishop Nicholas made to become our current-day Santa Claus. It also includes many recognizable images and poems. Presented by Laura F. Keyes, owner of of Historic Voices. Keyes graduated from UW-Madison with a Master’s Degree in Library Studies, and has been presenting on historic topics for over ten years. She enjoys researching literary symbolism, and is contracted to write a book on that subject. In her non-existent spare time, Keyes is a wonderful baker and accomplished vocalist. She currently serves as a Library Director in Central Illinois.

Register directly on Zoom HERESponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Library.  Presented in collaboration with the T.O.H.P. Burnham Free Library in Essex and Stevens Memorial Library in North Andover. Because of secrets revealed, this program is NOT intended for children.

Registration required via Zoom link.