Lecture Series: Wondrous Mrs. Claus - A Holiday Presentation

Author/historian Pamela McColl presents Mrs. Santa Claus’ own story and shares festive literary works published from the mid 1800s to modern times.

Mrs. Santa Claus was first mentioned by name in the December 1851 issue of the Yale Literary Magazine of New Haven, Connecticut. “Suddenly, in bounded that jolly, fat and funny old elf, Santa Claus. His array was indescribably fantastic. He seemed to have done his best; and we should think, had Mrs. Santa Claus to help him.”

Mrs. Claus, the wife, and partner to Santa Claus has undergone multiple reinventions over the years; described as a fairy, an elf, a saint, a spirit, a redhead, brunette and blonde, portrayed as a girl, young woman, a wife, mother, and a grandmother of old. Through all her various incarnations Mrs. Claus has evolved as the premier heroine of American Christmas literature.

The festive presentation is based on McColl’s research for her new book “Wondrous Mrs. Claus – A Literary and Pictorial Review of the Christmas Character" and the author’s discovery of dozens of all but lost works and images. McColl’s book is the first ever publication to extensively chronicle the beloved character.

Autographed copies of the book will be available at the Slater Memorial Museum's gift shop.