Who Is Father Christmas?

Standing nearly 6-and-half feet tall, with twinkling blue eyes, rosy cheeks and a full white beard, Father Christmas has stepped out of a Victorian tale and into the Museum, in his hand-sewn, ermine trimmed, emerald velvet cape.

On Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 at the Museum, he will be in our re-created settlement town, Silver City, listening to what you’d like this holiday. On the frontier in the 1880s, Father Christmas represented the season's spirit of good cheer. In this historically accurate setting, it's easy to imagine that you are a homesteader, or have come west to stake a mining claim and reap a fortune. For those who pioneered this region, celebrating the holidays was a welcome respite from harsh conditions in a new land.

As you nibble on sugar cookies and take in our other exhibits, we think you'll take home an experience unlike any other. It's all part of our mission, helping you to discover your connection to the past, role in the present, and responsibility to the future.

Have your child's photo taken with the Father Christmas, too. 11am-3pm. Photos: $3 each.