Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - December 6, 1998
By Barbara Carney
Vigo County Historical Society

Cartoonist draw at museum

Thomas Nast, a famed political cartoonist, was the first to portray Santa Claus as the jolly, rotund, white-bearded fellow we know today.

Europeans had traditionally depicted their St. Nicholas as a rather stern, medieval figure.

But in dozens of drawing he did for Harper’s Weekly in New York from 1863 to 1886, Nast portrayed to Americans his vision of the Christmas spirit.

An added pleasure in Nast’s Christmas drawings are the scenes of Victorian life they present.

He often used his five children as models and depicted domestic scenes and furnishings from his own home in his works. In addition, the toys he shows Santa distributing offer a view of 19th century playthings. Visitors to the Vigo County Historical Museum will enjoy a collection of copies of Thomas Nast’s endearing Christmas drawings displayed in the upstairs hallway.

During December, come to the museum where each room is festive with the beauty of the holiday season. An open house is scheduled for 1 to 7 p.m. today.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.