Eufaula’s renowned historian and unstoppable traveler Roger Thompson will present “How Christmas Started and Surged” at two local venues in one week.
He will be the after- dinner speaker at the Eufaula Area Arts Council’s membership dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, at the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce.
Then at 1 p.m. Friday, December 19, he will give the same speech and slide show for Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library in the library’s Follansbee Room.
This will be the second year for talking about ancient rituals that preceded Christmas becoming a world-wide holiday. EAAC’s board enjoyed his 2024 show so much, they invited him back for a repeat.
Recently retired from teaching history at Eufaula High School, Thompson is as well known for traveling as he is for his expertise on the past.
In 1982 he started traveling to expand his high school students’ knowledge of history beyond the classroom. He has traveled with as few as ten students and as many as 60 who went with him to Italy.
He describes his tours, which were for education—not vacation, as “not springbreak type things.”
Their popularity is evidenced by EHS graduates who come back for trips well into their adult years, many bringing their children, and later grandchildren.
Future trips, he promises, will be announced to the public and opened to people interested in educational journeys.
Both his traveling and extensive research contribute to his unique approach to the Christmas topic.
The Friends’ meeting on December 19 is open to the public—reservations are not necessary. Light refreshments will be served.
Thompson will speak after a very brief business meeting updating members on how the Friends’ continue to support the library.
His will be the last of twelve 2025 inspiring programs arranged by the Friends for the Eufaula area’s enlightenment.
Membership forms will be available for anyone desiring to join and participate in helping the Friends enhance the cultural landscape of the community.
Eight unusual programs have already been booked for 2026, and— if four more get finalized— next year’s roster will be available at this upcoming last meeting of the year.
