3-026-315 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Santa Claus Association, between c1915 and c1920. Shows women seated for a portrait in the offices of the Santa Claus Association, New York City. The Santa Claus Association was a not for profit founded in December 1913, as a result of a policy change by the United States Postal Service. Prior to 1911, the Post Office destroyed letters sent addressed to Santa Claus. The Santa Claus Association would receive, verify, and respond to Christmas letters sent by needy children in New York. The Santa Claus Association essentially served as a middleman between donors and children. Volunteers would spend their time reading and organizing letters while donors would fund the gift-giving operations.