Brian Shechtman: The History of Santa Claus in America

1. Brian Shechtman: The
History of Santa Claus in
America

2. Business owner Brian Shechtman oversees every
aspect of Santa's Enchanted Forest, a renowned
Christmas-themed park with more than 100 rides
and attractions that delight guests every winter.
Shechtman's creation remains a popular
destination, and it celebrates many facets of the
holiday season, including Santa Claus.

3. Originally associated with the Dutch, the legend of
Santa Claus arrived in America with early settlers.
However, it did not obtain popularity until after the
Revolutionary War. During the late 18th century
and early 19th century, author Washington Irving
inspired study into Dutch traditions through his
stories. He included Santa Claus in his comic
“The History of New York City.” Additionally,
America's first St. Nicholas Anniversary Dinner
occurred in 1810, but he was still drawn as more
of a religious figure.

4. The 19th century further filled out the Santa
“canon.” In 1822, Clement Moore wrote “A Visit
from St. Nicholas.” This poem later adopted the
name “The Night before Christmas” and became
a seminal work. Forty years after Moore
introduced his story, artist Thomas Nast
reimagined Santa Claus in a series of drawings
for Harper's Weekly. These pictures established
what is still the traditional image of Santa--a fat,
bearded, happy man. Nast's cartoons also
introduced the concepts of Santa living at the
North Pole and the naughty/nice children’s book.