Photo by Isis Climes: Attendees gathered to view decorative Christmas trees
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida celebrated its 16th annual toy drive at its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The annual Holiday Open House also hosted the museum’s second Christmas tree display, where hundreds gathered to view donated decorative trees from the community, sororities, and fraternities.
“The Woodson African American Museum of Florida was honored to engage our local community in sharing the joy of the holiday season. We are deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support demonstrated through our second annual exhibition of beautifully curated Christmas trees, each reflecting remarkable creativity, elegance, and care,” said executive director Terri Lipsey Scott.
There were 13 donors for this year’s tree display: St. Petersburg Branch for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH); Racewithoutism, Inc.; Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.; Facetime Beauty Lounge; Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW); Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Sisters of Love Chapter No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star, P.H.A.; Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; St. Petersburg Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and St. Petersburg Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The venue was filled with excited participants, a live DJ, Santa Claus, and decorative trees; attendees were given ballots to vote for their top five trees. The winners for this year’s Christmas tree display included:
BEST IN SHOW: St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
MOST CREATIVE: Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
MOST HISTORICAL: Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
MOST WHIMSICAL: Racewithoutism, Inc.
MOST CLASSIC: Sisters of Love Chapter No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star, P.H.A.
“At the heart of the Museum’s mission is the desire to bring community together—inviting organizations to tell their unique stories through artistic expression and shared celebration,” said Scott.
Though the Holiday Open House event is over, the Woodson African American Museum’s doors remain open to the public to stop by and view the curated art during regular hours or on selected weekends this month, as posted on the website and social media page.
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More Photos
Photo by Isis Climes: (left to right) Racewithoutism, INC.; Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, INC.; St. Petersburg Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, INC.; and St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section of the NCNW Christmas trees on display.
Photo by Isis Climes: The St. Petersburg Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. Christmas tree decoration.
Photo by Isis Climes: Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Photo by Isis Climes: St. Petersburg Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Photo by Isis Climes: Toy donations
Photo by Isis Climes: Sisters of Love Chapter No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star, P.H.A. Members holding donations
