'Twas the Night Before Christmas

An Exhibition of Christmas Critters
Duration: 
November 20, 2023 to January 5, 2024

title graphic with a cardinal sitting on a lantern and a brown bear peeking above a mound of snow

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, several creatures were stirring, including a mouse!
Gallery shot of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: An Exhibition of Christmas Critters with large scale images on moveable exhibit walls
The exhibition includes large-scale illustrations that feature the menagerie of animals found in various editions of The Night Before Christmas. 

Join William & Mary Libraries in collaboration with the Williamsburg Regional Library Gallery at Stryker Center as we celebrate the many cute and colorful creatures of Clement C. Moore’s holiday classic, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” This year’s exhibit of the Nancy H. Marshall Collection celebrates of the 200th anniversary of the poem’s first publication in the Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823. While the original text of the poem only mentions a mouse and a team of reindeer, the many artistic adaptations include an expanded representation of Santa’s animal friends, illuminating the wonderful creatures who make our houses feel like home.


Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Closed weekends, November 23-24, December 24-26, 31, and January 1.

Stop by the Stryker Center for fun winter crafts and activities for children, including a dance party with Olaf from Frozen, during WRL's Second Sunday 'Twas the Night Before Christmas event on Sunday, December 10, 1-4pm.


Curation:

  • Jamie Lukow '24, M.A. Student in History and Special Collections Graduate Apprentice
  • with assistance from Sierra Manja '26, Special Collections Student Assistant, and Grace Brooks '24, Special Collections Graduate Apprentice

Design:

  • Shradha Dinesh '24, SCRC Graphics Student Assistant

Fabrication & Install:

  • Alex Anderson '27, SCRC Graphics Student Assistant
  • Clarissa Cantacuzene '24, Special Collections Student Assistant
  • Jennie Davy, Exhibits and Artifacts Curator
  • Mack Lundy, Digitization Volunteer
  • Kaitlyn Weathers, Digitization Specialist


Special Thanks:

  • Rob Haas, Program Services & Security Director, Williamsburg Regional Library

Color logo for Williamsburg Regional Library Galleries

 

 

 

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