Saving Santa

On Christmas Eve 2023, the Museum announced that the Iconic Livingston Santas would undergo significant restoration and return home to Bloomington-Normal once again. The 14 ½-foot Santas were gifted to the Museum by Jeffrey Alan Wandell and he kicked-off the Saving Santa fundraising with a $10,000 donation. Over $70,000 has been raised toward the estimated project cost of $85,000. We are now $10,000 over budget so our current goal is $95,000. We need to raise the remaining funds by December 31, 2024, or early into the New Year.

A dedication ceremony for the first restored Santa is scheduled for Saturday, November 30, 2024, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the southwest corner of the Museum Square in Downtown Bloomington.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and he will be returning to Bloomington-Normal soon.

History and Tradition
Livingston’s department store was founded in March of 1866. It remained in the 100 block of West Washington Street, (the south side of the Museum Square), for 113 years, closing for good in January of 1979. In the 1950s and 1960s, any serious Christmas holiday shopping was done in Downtown Bloomington with six major competitors located within three blocks of each other. For thirty years (1940s – 1970s), the Livingston’s department store would mount two 14-foot Santas to their awning, billing themselves as the “Big, Big, Santa Claus Store of Central Illinois.” Visiting the store’s Santas was the first big thrill of the Christmas season and became a beloved local family tradition. Do you have memories of seeing the Livingston Santas? Share your story with us!

Santas Journey
Following the closure of Livingston’s, the Santas were first purchased by College Hills Mall in late 1979 and displayed there for several years until they were sold again in the mid-to-late 1980s to Jeffrey Alan Wandell. Jeffrey is the owner of retail stores Jeffrey Alans in Normal and Prairie Gardens in Champaign. With a love of Christmas similar in spirit to Livingston’s where the Santas first began, Jeffrey Alans carried on the tradition of displaying a Santa at their store for many years in Normal until they became too fragile for outside use.

Restoring an Iconic Holiday Tradition
Jeffrey Alan Wandell had the Santas in storage for several years, looking for an opportunity to preserve them. During 2023 the McLean County Museum of History connected with Jeffrey and months of planning and research led to the gift that was finalized on December 15, 2023. Jeffrey has a love of sharing art with others, with projects and partnerships like the Wandell Sculpture Garden located at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois. For the Santas, the Museum is a logical place to care for them, and to preserve the nostalgic tradition for future generations to enjoy.

This project has included many partnerships, including artist Andrew Jumonville, architect Russel Francois, structural engineer Tim Roecker, the McLean County Board, City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, Ace World Wide Movers, LiUNA Local 362, P.J. Hoerr, and many others. The first Santa has been restored and will be dedicated at a formal ceremony on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. on the southwest lawn of the Museum Square in Downtown Bloomington.  

Project Status
Local artist Andrew Jumonville has restored the first Santa, and the second Santa is now being restored. The first Santa will be displayed on the Museum Square and the second Santa will eventually be on display in Uptown Normal near the Children’s Discovery Museum. The specific location for the Uptown Santa will be confirmed after the underpass project is completed. The Santas will be up each year from late November through mid-January. P.J. Hoerr and LiUNA Local 362 constructed a pedestal for the Bloomington Santa in October, with help and donations from Stark Excavating, Rowe Construction, Mid-West Construction Rentals, Operating Engineers Local 649, and Masons Local 18. Fundraising to achieve our new project cost of $95,000 continues through the end of the year.

Questions and Opportunities for Involvement
Contact Director of Development Norris Porter to discuss how you can help in Saving Santa and preserving a nostalgic tradition for the community.