Legendary Santa delights visitors at the Children's Museum of Richmond

Children of all ages eagerly await the day after Thanksgiving, not because they are headed to mall for shopping but because that’s the day that Legendary Santa makes his annual seasonal debut down the chimney at the Children’s Museum of Richmond to delight the many visitors who come from all over the Commonwealth to share their Christmas wishes with Santa and the Snow Queen. 

The story of Legendary Santa began seven decades ago in 1936 when the real Santa Claus first visited the landmark Miller&Rhoads department store in downtown Richmond, thrilling scores of youngsters and launching a tradition that would become as rock solid as the city’s famed monuments. He selected this location as his seasonal headquarters and set up shop. No Christmas was complete until your mother, in her hat and gloves, took you, dressed in your holiday best, to see Santa at Miller&Rhoads.  Other stores and malls might have Santas, but they were only the “helpers” of the real Santa at Miller&Rhoads.

It was a magical childhood experience.  There would be the red-cheeked, genial Santa with his flowing white beard sitting on his grand throne, flanked by the beautiful Snow Queen.  Children could have tea with Santa, complete with reindeer cookies, and even shop at their own pint-sized Fawn Shop.  Generation after generation perpetuated the highly anticipated holiday ritual.  Legions of true believers made the pilgrimage to Richmond, many coming from beyond city and state boundaries. So revered was the tradition that Santa became known as the Miller&Rhoads Legendary Santa.

When Miller&Rhoads closed in 1990, Legendary Santa moved to the nearby Thalhimers department store, then to the Richmond Convention Center.

On the day after Thanksgiving 2005, Legendary Santa moved one last time…to his new and permanent seasonal home at the Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR). At 2626 West Broad Street, it’s a convenient mid-town location with free parking.

While Richmonders cherish their time-honored traditions, they are open-minded enough to update them too. At the Children’s Museum, Legendary Santa acquired an enthusiastic new helper in addition to the Snow Queen, Frosty the Snowman and other classic characters…a big cuddly red dinosaur named Seymour, the mascot of CMoR. Seymour, wearing a Santa hat and grooving to his own inventive dance moves, helps entertain the children waiting in line to see Legendary Santa.

 All the trappings of the original Santa Land are in place at CMoR – the ornate velvet chair, the chimney and fireplace, the souvenir photos taken with Legendary Santa and holiday music played by one of the former Miller&Rhoads musicians. Yes, reindeer cupcakes are served as well.

Parents and children embraced Legendary Santa’s new location immediately. In its inaugural 2005 season, over 25,000 people visited Legendary Santa at the Children’s Museum of Richmond.  Visitors came from all over Virginia, as well as from North Carolina and even as far away as Texas. One family, who stakes a claim to being the first in line to see Legendary Santa every year for the past 20 years, was at their post again in 2005 and each year since.

Other activities for children and adults include the free Genworth Financial Holiday Village exhibit located off the museum’s lobby and features a neighborhood of charming Fan District inspired houses that feature holiday celebrations from around the world:  Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Lunar New Year, Eid and Diwali. Children can experience the symbols, customs and traditions through books, games and other hands-on activities. 

  
 
A very special thank you to the elves at Strange’s Garden Center for being a part of bringing the holiday spirit to The Children’s Museum.