May 18, 2026

The new Santa Ambassadors exhibit showcases stories from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's "'Tis the Season: Holiday Traditions in Oklahoma" collection and items donated by Oklahoma Santa Ambassadors in the Lisa and Mark Snell Gallery on the second floor of the Edmon Low Library.

Santa Ambassadors, or people who portray Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the holiday season, shed light on the broad and diverse cultural and professional ins and outs of being Santa and Mrs. Claus in Oklahoma.

With personal stories and even the suit itself, the Santa Ambassadors exhibit shows their passion for the season. The suit on display was worn by Ron Adams, an Oklahoma native and Oklahoma State University alum, who donned the title of "Oklahoma's Jolly Old Soul" and performed as a Santa Ambassador for more than 30 years in Bartlesville.

"You go out into the world and you do the best you can and serve as many people as you can," Adams said, quoting his Christmas-loving mother. "I got hooked up with the Saint Francis Children's Hospital and was their Santa for probably 15 or 16 years. The same thing with the Jane Phillips Hospital… I'm doing this from the heart."

The Oklahoma Oral History Research Program says this project began in 2024 to document the experiences of Oklahomans who contribute to holiday traditions. Tanya Finchum, lead interviewer of the Santa Ambassadors series, says the aim of the project was to explore motivations and the endurance of a Santa's kindness.

"Santa has been a part of American history for well over 200 years, is generally part of our collective memory, and is a composite of cultural, historical, and commercial influences," Finchum said. "We study history to learn about ourselves, so what can we learn from Santa and Santa performers?"

The answer lies in 21 interviews that will be publicly accessible once transcripts have been reviewed by the Santa Ambassadors. Currently, 10 of the 21 are online, including one with a Santa agent who was inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame in 2024. While developing and conducting this oral history project, Finchum says she has learned a lot, including a new word: "Kringles," an exercise for a Santa's smiling muscles.

To see quotes, images, and more about Santa Ambassadors like Ron Adams, Mike Fansher, and Dan Short, visit the Santa Ambassadors exhibit on the second floor of the Edmon Low Library or view "'Tis the Season: Holiday Traditions in Oklahoma" at https://library.okstate.edu/search-and-find/collections/digital-collections/tis-the-season/

BY: Grey Baker, Communications Graduate Research Assistant

URL: https://library.okstate.edu/news/articles/archived-news/santa-claus(es)-are-real-in-oklahoma

Last Updated: 15 February 2026