The Christmas display at the Merrill History & Culture Center was unveiled last Wednesday with an open house. There are a variety of things to delight and amuse those of all ages.
Antique American Flyer trains are on loan from the Northwoods Flyer collection, including a Polar Express train.
A special feature of the exhibit is a Santa suit handmade for Leonard Donoghue, who visited children in the Merrill area for a span of about 25 years from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s. Donoghue was a descendant of Leonard N. Anson and followed in the family businesses. He traveled from school to school at Christmas time. He also visited many homes of families down on their luck, delivering baskets of food and gifts, accompanied by his four daughters. His daughters were sworn to secrecy as to his true identity and he neve revealed to them the names of the families.
During the open house, the Merrill Wood Carvers club was on hand, working on wooden Santas. Several of their pieces are on display.
Yurgen and Ruth Ann Markewycz have also loaned a portion of their carved wooden Santa collection for the holiday display. Most are made in Wisconsin and some were made by members of the Merrill Wood Carvers.
Another feature of the display is a table set for a Christmas party at the Badger Hotel as it wood have been in the 1930s or 1940s. The setting includes orginal dinner ware from the hotel, which was torn down in 1967.
The Christmas display is now open through January. The best times to stop in and see the display are Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Merrill Historical Society’s mission is to educate the public about our heritage using the unique historical and cultural resources we collect and preserve. For further information on the programs and activities of the Merrill Historical Society, or to become a member, please contact the Society at 715-536-5652 or [email protected], or see the website at www.merrillhistory.org.
