He came across the prairie cloaked in many different customs and traditions at Christmas.

Saturday, Pioneer Santa will help young and old alike – look back at Christmas’ past at the museum.

“He doesn’t have on the shiny suit,” said Nona Miller, Education Coordinator with the Smoky Hill Museum.

“And looking back at all the different nationalities that were here on the prairie and how Santa looked would be very different. In some nationalities he wore a green coat, some he wore a red one, some he actually wore fur,” Miller said.

Miller tells KSAL News that patrons on Saturday will have a chance to visit and learn about Christmas traditions on the Kansas prairie with Santa throughout the afternoon.

Saturday’s Holiday Open House is free and open to the public from 1pm to 4pm at the Smoky Hill Museum at 211 W. Iron Ave. Salina singer/songwriter Ann Zimmerman will be providing the musical entertainment while guests check out all the exhibits, make and take crafts plus refreshments.