Wine & Lecture: Baum’s Christmas Memories

Join the Coronado Historical Association for this special holiday edition of the Wine & Lecture Series. Bill Swank, who has been the resident Santa at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion since 2002, will share Christmastime stories from beloved author L. Frank Baum. Wizard of Oz author Baum loved to winter at the Hotel del Coronado. While in residence in Coronado, he wrote three books including The Road to Oz (1909), where Santa makes a special appearance. Baum’s other Christmas stories include The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1902) and A Kidnapped Santa Claus (1904). There is no better way to explore Baum’s Christmas memories than with Santa himself.

* This is an adult lecture about the history of L. Frank Baum’s Coronado connections. A family event will be announced.

Reception at 5:30 pm, followed by 6:00 pm lecture. Doors open at 5:20 pm.

Tickets are available now by clicking Register Now above! 

Member ($15.00 each)
Non-Member ($18.00 each)

Important Registration Information: Attendance is restricted to fully vaccinated persons with a booster shot. Capacity is limited and reservations are required. No walk-ins will be admitted.

If you have any questions please email [email protected] or call (619) 435-7242.

About the Speaker: 

As a boy, Billy Swank dreamed of becoming a Milwaukee Brewer. He came to San Diego in 1955 and became a baseball historian in 1994. An accidental historian, he has co-authored ten books, seven about baseball. During Christmastime, Bill can be found at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavillion as Santa Claus. He played baseball for the legendary House of David baseball team as “Baseball Santa” and also played over-the-line for “Real Santas United to End Childhood Obesity.” His scale-model reproduction of Lane Field is on display at Petco Park. Billy Swank was a “morning-glory.” He couldn’t hit the curveball…and never thought he’d become Santa Claus as an old man.