St. Nicholas Day Sunday At The Onderdonk House
St. Nicholas will be visiting the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House in Ridgewood, this Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 4 p.m. to distribute gifts.
The Greater Ridgewood Historical Society is excited to bring this Dutch holiday tradition to children of all ages. All children are admitted free, and a separate $3 donation is requested for each adult for St. Nicholas Day.
Later that evening, the society will be lighting candles, warming up the mulled cider and hosting candlelight tours of the Onderdonk House and grounds from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a musical program, including traditional and holiday music. Donation is $5 for adults, children free.
During the daytime program, guests can take those special photos with St. Nick; enjoy refreshments; make homemade ornaments; join society members in some holiday singing; sample lots of home baked goodies and hot cider; and listen to the story of St. Nicholas and the origins of many of the Christmas traditions throughout the afternoon.
While visiting the historic early eighteenth century farmhouse, guests can enjoy the special holiday exhibit on St. Nicholas, the current exhibit, “Unearthed at the Onderdonk House-Artifacts from the 1970 Archaeological Investigations”; tour the restored Colonial Kitchen; and tour the Onderdonk House, decorated for the holiday season.
The Onderdonks lived during the Victorian era and most certainly would have adopted some of those Christmas traditions, such as decorating and lighting the Christmas tree, sending cards, preparing special foods and drink, crafting homemade gifts and caroling. So the society will be honoring both the Dutch and Victorian celebrations.
The gift shop will be open with colonial gifts, books, stocking stuffers and handcrafted jewelry.
The St. Nicholas Day celebration has a long tradition dating from the third century after the founding of Christianity. St. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, a poverty-plagued diocese of Lycia, now part of Turkey.
Popular tradition says Nicholas traveling by donkey in summer weather, visited every parish tending to the spiritual and personal needs of the people. When winter arrived, he returned again, a journey of thanksgiving; bringing gifts to match the needs he noted earlier-warm clothing, money, toys for children.
By the 10th century, Nicholas was renown all over the Christian world for his charity, teaching and miracles. He became the patron of children, sailors and prisoners and hundreds of churches were named for him throughout Europe.
The Dutch brought the tradition of St. Nicholas to America during the Colonial period. It took about 200 years for the beloved St. Nicholas or “Klause” to be transformed into Santa Claus.
For more information about St. Nicholas, including present day celebrations, visit www.stnicholascenter.org.
The Onderdonk House is located at 1820 Flushing Ave. in Ridgewood, at the corner of Flushing and Onderdonk avenues. There is plenty of free on-street parking.
By mass transit, take the L train to Jefferson Street, then proceed five blocks northeast along Flushing Avenue. The Q54 bus also passes two blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue and B57 passes the house on Flushing Avenue.
For information, call the GRHS at 1-718-456-1776 or visit www.onderdonkhouse.org
The program and exhibit is made possible in part by the support of the city Department of Cultural Affairs through the efforts of City Council Members Antonio Reynoso and Elizabeth Crowley.
