The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is an ongoing project that celebrates, studies, and preserves the historical documentation of the many men and women who have greatly contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus.
Nominations for the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame came from several sources including the on-line Santa communities where thousands of professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and helpers from around the world are members.
Selection Process
The initial selection process for the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame was developed by Mr. Thomas Murphy, attorney at law with the firm of Hopkins and Huebner in Des Monies, Iowa. Profiles of 50 past and current Santas were given to Mr. Murphy to be distributed to a panel of 15 feature columnist from news media across the North American continent. From Canada, 3 columnists, 1 from the eastern region, 1 from the central region, and 1 from the western region. From the United States, 12 columnists, 2 from the northeast, 2 from the southeast, 2 from the midwest, 2 from the southwest, 2 from the west coast, 1 from the northwest, and 1 from the rocky mountain region.
The Santa profiles included an overview of the Santas career and supporting documentation; no names, dates, country of origin or internet presence was included and no distinction between large cities or small villages was made. The candidates were held to a criteria including, over all career, service to their community or company, range of appearances, contribution to the Santa world, length of service, uniqueness of career, originality, and charity.
From the 50 profiles, 30 were selected to be review again with a point value in each standard. The top 21 point value profiles were resubmitted for the last time for a 1 through 21 percentage vote. Those Santas who received 75% were elected to the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. Through this process the 14 Charter Members were selected.
Future nominees and members of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame will be selected with the same guidelines of the process with the expansion of the on-line Santa communities’ participation in the selection procedure.
For more information, contact the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.