Just in time for the holidays, the High Point Historical Society is partnering with Santa Claus on a unique fundraising project. Santa Claus, aka Santa Cliff Snider, is donating a Santa print to help raise funds for the Little Red Schoolhouse (affectionately known as Little Red).
The print entitled "The Gift" was painted by Linda Hyatt Cancel and is a limited edition signed and numbered reproduction. The image size is 10" x 15" with 2" borders. It was printed by High Point's own Hall Printing Company and comes in a protective portfolio.
"When I was in the fifth grade I decided that I wanted to learn to play the violin," Snider, who has been portraying Santa for over 50 years, said. "At the time, Mrs. Virginia Frank, an accomplished violinist and member of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra was a volunteer teacher, specializing in violin lessons. I took my private lessons from her in the Little Red Schoolhouse, that experience started my lifelong love of the violin. Once the building was moved to the current museum property, which is right down the street from where I live, I thought it would make a wonderful place to become a "Santa House" where children could come and visit with Santa Claus. Maybe that thought will one day become a reality once the Little Red Schoolhouse is brought back to its original charm."
For a donation of $50 or more (the print is valued at $30) to help the Little Red Schoolhouse this print can be yours. The print is available in the High Point Museum Store. The High Point Historical Society is in the last stages of fundraising for this project approximately $9,200 is left to raise. Once all the restoration work is complete the Museum will focus its programming on young children in this space.
"What better endorsement for this project than Santa Claus," Edith Brady, Museum Director, said. "We're honored that he chose to support the restoration of this special building in this way."
The High Point Museum, a division of the High Point Public Library, is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point’s history, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community.
The City of High Point aims to serve as the catalyst for bringing together the community’s human, economic and civic resources for the purpose of creating the single most livable, safe and prosperous community in America. For more information on the City, visit www.highpointnc.gov