The Civil War and Santa Claus have no apparent connection, but both will be featured during special events this week at Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.

During a program beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the museum annex on Oak Street, Terri Ingalls — a writer, actor and storyteller from Westfield — will take visitors back in time through a program called “North Carolina Women of the Civil War.”

Free and open to the public, Ingalls’ presentation will explore a side of the conflict not usually featured in history textbooks, according to Heather Elliott, director of programs and education at the downtown museum.

“The social history of the Civil War is not nearly as easy to come by as all of the other things,” Elliott said of well-documented aspects such as the generals and their battles. “A lot of times, it’s a men’s story.”

Elliott added that the program by Ingalls, who also wrote the material involved, will focus on the effects of the four-year conflict on those left at home — who often faced a struggle to survive.

Much research was required to gather information about the plight of wives and children during the war, she said. That research found that women often found ways to contribute to the war effort which forever changed their lives.

Ingalls will focus on those elements by appearing as trio of fictional characters, using costumes reminiscent of the Civil War era and hand props. Those characters will “come alive” for three key periods leading up to the war’s end in 1865.

While the characters she has created are fictional, Ingalls’ presentation will incorporate real events during the periods covered, Elliott said.

Ingalls had approached the museum about performing such a program, and officials there were delighted with the prospect, according to Elliott. They opted to incorporate it into a “History Speaks” series there, in which presentations are planned every other month to help bring various events and people to life for local audiences.

A program in October focused on Edgar Allan Poe.

Other historical presentations are planned in the coming months, Elliott said.

Thursday’s program is expected to last one hour. Ingalls’ presentation will run about 30 to 40 minutes, and she will take questions from the audience afterward.

Santa, Mrs. Claus

Though less historical in nature, another event, planned Saturday at the museum, offers an enjoyable, and cost-friendly, holiday gathering.

Titled “Milk and Cookies With Santa,” it will provide children of all ages a chance not only to meet Santa, but Mrs. Claus as well.

This event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon in the museum’s new Hands On History Children’s Gallery. Milk and cookies will be served.

It represents an opportunity for parents to drop their children off at the museum for a couple of hours while they shop, said Candace Sammons, who chairs the facility’s board of directors.

There will be no charge for participants and reservations are not required.

Open House

Elliott also said the rest of Saturday offers a special opportunity for the public at large to visit the museum through a holiday open house, to last from noon to 4 p.m. “Admission is waived on Saturday for everybody,” she said.

The free open house, being held for the fifth time, will allow visitors to see new exhibits on the museum’s third floor as well as those previously established on lower levels.

Participants also can view the facility’s themed Christmas trees, featuring a new “Fireman Tree” in the Lower Gallery’s fire department exhibit, plus enjoy light refreshments and holiday music.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.