National Chirstmas Center to Open New Historic Exhibit

The National Christmas Center will open a new exhibit on Saturday, July 10, 2010 featuring the Santa Claus Oath traveling display and photographs. The new exhibit will include information on Santa Claus portrayers of historical significance throughout the last century. This permanent exhibit will be donated to the National Christmas Center by the Santa Claus Oath Foundation.

Master of Ceremonies for the July 10, 2010 event will be Santa Dutch Schrap of Philadelphia. Santa Jerry Owens of New Albany, Indiana will represent the Santa Claus Oath Committee and Santa Jim Morrison of the National Christmas Center will cut the ribbon on the new exhibit.

As part of the ceremony, Santa Claus Oath videos will be available for viewing and the Santa Claus Oath book pages will be available for all Santas, Mrs. Clauses, Elves and Helpers to sign at the event. The pages will be added to the official Santa Claus Oath book. The Santa Claus Oath book along with other documents will be placed into a time capsule in November 2010 in Santa Claus, Indiana

The Santa Claus Oath document outlines eight principles that any portrayer of Santa Claus should follow. Created in April 2008 by Phillip L. Wenz, the Santa from Santa’s Village, the Oath was inspired by two legendary Santa Clauses, Jim Yellig of Santa Claus, Indiana, and Charles W. Howard of Albion, New York.

Since 2008 the Santa Claus Oath display has traveled to various Santa organizations throughout the world and has been presented at local and regional Santa Claus meetings. The Santa Claus Oath Foundation will also donate numerous historical pictures and stories for a look back on the people, places, and parades that helped shape the Santa Claus Legend.

“The Santa Claus Oath is a reminder to all who portray Santa of the ideals that Santa Claus stands for,” says Santa Jim Morrison. “We’re honored to have the Santa Claus Oath and these legendary Santas of the 20th Century become part of our museum!”

Many professional Santas will attend the ceremony representing their local and regional groups. The ceremony is part of the second annual Midsummer Yule Festival, an outdoor festival, held on-site at the National Christmas Center.