By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Santa Claus stopped by the Fannie Bartlett House on Saturday (Dec. 7) to help the Olean Historical Society celebrate its Victorian Christmas displays and hear Christmas gift requests.
Hundreds of visitors stopped to tour the city-owned Queen Anne-style house at 302 Laurens St., that was built in 1881 by George Foreman and purchased 10 years later by Frank and Fannie Bartlett, after whom the building is named.
There are 53 Christmas trees located throughout the house, up from 45 trees last year, said manager and events coordinator Gail Fuechter, who has been overseeing the growing Victorian Christmas event for almost 25 years.
“We started decorating the first week in October so we would be ready to open the night of the Santa Claus Lane Parade,” Fuechter said. The display will be open until March 1.
“We have a lot of events here every year and private parties,” Fuechter said. Members of the local Daughters of the American Revolution toured the facility earlier in nthe week.
“This is the biggest ever Victorian Christmas display,” Fuechter said.
Olean Middle and Intermediate School students led by music teacher Andrea Hartris welcomed Santa with Christmas carols. Mayor Bill Aiello was also present to welcome Santa.
Hot cocoa and Christmas cookies were featured in one of the first floor rooms.
Children quickly made their way to the room with Santa Claus, who gave out coins that said “I was caught being good.”
