White House Christmas tree
Encyclopedia
The White House Christmas Tree, also known as the Blue Room Christmas Tree, is the official indoor Christmas tree
at the residence of the President of the United States
, the White House
. The first indoor Christmas tree was installed in the White House sometime in the 19th century (there are varying claims as to the exact year) and since 1961 the tree has had a themed motif at the discretion of the First Lady of the United States
.
is said to have had the first indoor Christmas tree at the White House during the 1850s, variously reported as 1853 or 1856. Others claim the first tree was during President Benjamin Harrison
's administration (either in 1889, or 1891). First Lady Caroline Harrison
helped decorate the tree, which was installed in the second floor oval parlor today's Yellow Oval Room. Harrison was credited with installing the first White House Christmas tree by the White House web site during the presidency of George W. Bush.
began the tradition of presidential wives decorating the White House tree with the first "official" White House Christmas tree in 1929. In 1961 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the White House Christmas tree by decorating with a Nutcracker
motif.
had not ordered one by December 23.
Additionally, other presidents never displayed a tree in the White House. First U.S. President George Washington held office at a time when there was no White House, thus it is impossible for him to have displayed a tree there. There is no evidence that Abraham Lincoln ever displayed a Christmas tree in the White House. In 1922 First Lady Florence Harding
's illness led to a more subdued Christmas celebration at the White House and no Christmas tree.
received letters urging the president to forgo participation in the "Christmas tree habit". The letter writers, which the Chicago Daily Tribune noted had taken up the "forestry fad", referred to "arboreal infanticide", according to the Tribune. Those opposed to a tree in the White House that year also termed Christmas trees "un-American" because it was a historically German tradition. At least one tree was displayed in the White House that year, in the kitchen department, for the maids.
The Nixon administration's choice of tree topper
, the atomic symbol of peace rather than a traditional star, was criticized. The 1995 Blue Room Christmas Tree sought ornaments made by architecture students from across the United States. Rene Spineto stirred up some controversy when she designed an ornament that depicted two stocking
s, one marked "Bill" and the other marked "Newt" (in reference to President Bill Clinton
and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
). While the stocking marked "Bill" was filled with candy and presents, the one marked "Newt" was filled with coal. The Clinton administration hung the ornament on the tree without censorship.
In his 1998 book Unlimited Access, former-FBI agent Gary Aldrich
describes what he claims he saw in the White House during the Clinton administration. The book, published by an established conservative publishing house, Regnery Publishing
, states that the 1994 White House Christmas Tree was decorated with condom
s and drug paraphernalia
. George Stephanopoulos
called the book a "work of fiction"; it has also been called "infamous".
In 2008 one of the ornaments designed by a Seattle artist, Deborah Lawrence, was rejected for inclusion on the Blue Room Christmas Tree. The rejected ornament was a red and white striped 9-inch ball with the words "Impeach Bush" emblazoned on it. The ornament was the only one of about 370 submitted that was rejected.
have provided 11 trees, more than any other state. The states of Washington and Wisconsin
, as of 2011, share the second highest total of trees provided for the White House with seven. The White House Christmas tree has been displayed in the Blue Room
many times since 1961. It has also occasionally been displayed in the Entrance Hall
.
Generally, there is more than one Christmas tree in and around the White House, for instance, in 1997 there were 36, in 2008 there were 27. Traditionally, the tree in the Blue Room is the official White House Christmas tree. The White House Christmas tree usually stands nearly 20 feet tall and the crystal chandelier in the Blue Room must be removed for the tree to fit the room. Frequently, the tree's height is reported as 18 or 18½ feet tall. The Blue Room tree is donated each year by the National Christmas Tree Association
(NCTA). The NCTA has donated the tree since 1966; it is chosen through a contest among members of the trade group.
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century...
at the residence of the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. The first indoor Christmas tree was installed in the White House sometime in the 19th century (there are varying claims as to the exact year) and since 1961 the tree has had a themed motif at the discretion of the First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
.
History
First tree
Depending on which sources are consulted, the White House never had a Christmas tree until the 1850s or 1889. There are two claims to the "first" genuine White House Christmas tree. President Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
is said to have had the first indoor Christmas tree at the White House during the 1850s, variously reported as 1853 or 1856. Others claim the first tree was during President Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
's administration (either in 1889, or 1891). First Lady Caroline Harrison
Caroline Harrison
Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison , wife of Benjamin Harrison, was first lady of the United States from 1889 until her death. She was the first “first lady” to be born in October.-Early life:...
helped decorate the tree, which was installed in the second floor oval parlor today's Yellow Oval Room. Harrison was credited with installing the first White House Christmas tree by the White House web site during the presidency of George W. Bush.
General
Following the Harrison administration indoor trees were not always used at the White House. First Lady Lou Henry HooverLou Henry Hoover
Lou Henry Hoover was the wife of President of the United States Herbert Hoover and First Lady of the United States, 1929-1933. Mrs. Hoover was president of the Girl Scouts of the USA for two terms, 1922-1925 and 1935-1937....
began the tradition of presidential wives decorating the White House tree with the first "official" White House Christmas tree in 1929. In 1961 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for the White House Christmas tree by decorating with a Nutcracker
Nutcracker
A nutcracker is a mechanical device for cracking nuts. Usually they work on the principle of moments as described in Archimedes' analysis of the lever...
motif.
Years without a tree
As stated, there were years where no indoor White House Christmas tree was installed at all. It is verifiable that there was no Christmas tree in the White House in 1902, 1904,, 1907, and 1922. The lack of a tree in 1902 was due to the fact that President Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
had not ordered one by December 23.
Additionally, other presidents never displayed a tree in the White House. First U.S. President George Washington held office at a time when there was no White House, thus it is impossible for him to have displayed a tree there. There is no evidence that Abraham Lincoln ever displayed a Christmas tree in the White House. In 1922 First Lady Florence Harding
Florence Harding
Florence Mabel Kling "Flossie" Harding , wife of President Warren G...
's illness led to a more subdued Christmas celebration at the White House and no Christmas tree.
Controversy
The official White House Christmas tree has several times been seen as controversial by some. In 1899 the White House of President William McKinleyWilliam McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
received letters urging the president to forgo participation in the "Christmas tree habit". The letter writers, which the Chicago Daily Tribune noted had taken up the "forestry fad", referred to "arboreal infanticide", according to the Tribune. Those opposed to a tree in the White House that year also termed Christmas trees "un-American" because it was a historically German tradition. At least one tree was displayed in the White House that year, in the kitchen department, for the maids.
The Nixon administration's choice of tree topper
Tree topper
A tree topper is a decorative star, angel, santa or other item which is placed on the crown of a Christmas tree. The most popular tree topper is the angel, followed by the star...
, the atomic symbol of peace rather than a traditional star, was criticized. The 1995 Blue Room Christmas Tree sought ornaments made by architecture students from across the United States. Rene Spineto stirred up some controversy when she designed an ornament that depicted two stocking
Christmas stocking
A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers...
s, one marked "Bill" and the other marked "Newt" (in reference to President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
). While the stocking marked "Bill" was filled with candy and presents, the one marked "Newt" was filled with coal. The Clinton administration hung the ornament on the tree without censorship.
In his 1998 book Unlimited Access, former-FBI agent Gary Aldrich
Gary Aldrich
Gary Aldrich is a former FBI agent and author from Amsterdam, New York. His wife Nina is also an ex-FBI agent, and they have 3 children. Gary graduated from Miami Dade College. He founded the Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty, whose aim is, "promoting the U.S...
describes what he claims he saw in the White House during the Clinton administration. The book, published by an established conservative publishing house, Regnery Publishing
Regnery Publishing
Regnery Publishing in Washington, D.C., is a publisher which specializes in conservative books characterized on their website as "contrary to those of 'mainstream' publishers in New York." Since 1993, Regnery Publishing has been a division of Eagle Publishing, which also owns the weekly magazine...
, states that the 1994 White House Christmas Tree was decorated with condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s and drug paraphernalia
Drug paraphernalia
Drug paraphernalia is a term used, often with a slightly negative connotation due to its use in criminal law field e.g. "possession of drug paraphernalia", to denote any equipment, product, or material that is modified for making, using, or concealing drugs, typically for recreational purposes...
. George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos
George Robert Stephanopoulos is an American television journalist and a former political advisor.Stephanopoulos is most well known as the chief political correspondent for ABC News – the news division of the broadcast television network ABC – and a co-anchor of ABC News's morning news...
called the book a "work of fiction"; it has also been called "infamous".
In 2008 one of the ornaments designed by a Seattle artist, Deborah Lawrence, was rejected for inclusion on the Blue Room Christmas Tree. The rejected ornament was a red and white striped 9-inch ball with the words "Impeach Bush" emblazoned on it. The ornament was the only one of about 370 submitted that was rejected.
Tree
Description
The White House Christmas tree is selected from various growers nationwide. Growers in the state of North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
have provided 11 trees, more than any other state. The states of Washington and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, as of 2011, share the second highest total of trees provided for the White House with seven. The White House Christmas tree has been displayed in the Blue Room
Blue Room (White House)
The Blue Room is one of three state parlors on the first floor in the White House, the residence of the president of the United States. It is distinct for its oval shape. The room is used for receptions, receiving lines, and is occasionally set for small dinners...
many times since 1961. It has also occasionally been displayed in the Entrance Hall
Entrance Hall
The Entrance Hall is the primary and formal entrance to the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States. The room is rectilinear in shape and measures approximately 31 by 44 feet...
.
Generally, there is more than one Christmas tree in and around the White House, for instance, in 1997 there were 36, in 2008 there were 27. Traditionally, the tree in the Blue Room is the official White House Christmas tree. The White House Christmas tree usually stands nearly 20 feet tall and the crystal chandelier in the Blue Room must be removed for the tree to fit the room. Frequently, the tree's height is reported as 18 or 18½ feet tall. The Blue Room tree is donated each year by the National Christmas Tree Association
National Christmas Tree Association
The National Christmas Tree Association is a professional organization in the United States of over 5,100 "Christmas tree professionals" in various capacities. The group focuses its work into three areas: promotion and research, federal representation , and professional education...
(NCTA). The NCTA has donated the tree since 1966; it is chosen through a contest among members of the trade group.
List of White House Christmas trees (1961-2011)
| Year | Species and location grown | Ornamentation notes | First Lady | Location | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Balsam fir Balsam Fir The balsam fir is a North American fir, native to most of eastern and central Canada and the northeastern United States .-Growth:It is a small to medium-size evergreen tree typically tall, rarely to tall, with a narrow conic crown... , Neshkoro, Wisconsin Neshkoro, Wisconsin Neshkoro is a village in Marquette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 453 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Neshkoro.-Geography:Neshkoro is located at .... |
Michelle Obama Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is the wife of the 44th and incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States... |
Blue Room Blue Room (White House) The Blue Room is one of three state parlors on the first floor in the White House, the residence of the president of the United States. It is distinct for its oval shape. The room is used for receptions, receiving lines, and is occasionally set for small dinners... |
||
| 2010 | Douglas fir, Lehighton, Pennsylvania Lehighton, Pennsylvania Lehighton is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, north by west of Philadelphia. In the past, it developed early industries because of water power from the Lehigh River. With the location of a repair facility here and its regional operations, the Lehigh Valley Railroad became for years a... |
The Blue Room tree had a specific theme within the overall theme - "Gift of the American Spirit." It honored state and county fairs and featured prize ribbons from each state and territory. | Michelle Obama | Blue Room | "Simple Gifts" |
| 2009 | Douglas fir, Shepherdstown, West Virginia Shepherdstown, West Virginia Shepherdstown is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States, located along the Potomac River. It is the oldest town in the state, having been chartered in 1762 by Colonial Virginia's General Assembly. Since 1863, Shepherdstown has been in West Virginia, and is the oldest town in... |
"We took about 800 ornaments left over from previous administrations, we sent them to 60 local community groups throughout the country, and asked them to decorate them to pay tribute to a favorite local landmark and then send them back to us for display here at the White House." | Michelle Obama | Blue Room | Reflect, Rejoice, Renew |
| 2008 | Fraser fir Fraser Fir Abies fraseri is a species of fir native to the mountains of the eastern United States. It is closely related to Abies balsamea , of which it has occasionally been treated as a subspecies or a variety Abies fraseri (Fraser fir) is a species of fir native to the mountains of the eastern United... , Crumpler, North Carolina Crumpler, North Carolina Crumpler is an unincorporated community on North Carolina Highway 16 in Ashe County, North Carolina, United States. It lies east of Warrensville, northeast of Jefferson, and north of Chestnut Hill, at an elevation of 2559 feet .... |
Ornaments designed by artists from around the country selected by members of Congress. The ornaments had a patriotic theme. | Laura Bush Laura Bush Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest... |
Blue Room | A Red, White, and Blue Christmas |
| 2007 | Fraser fir, Laurel Springs, North Carolina | Each ornament represented one of the 391 National Park Service sites. | Laura Bush | Blue Room | Holiday in the National Parks |
| 2006 | Douglas fir, Lehighton, Pennsylvania Lehighton, Pennsylvania Lehighton is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, north by west of Philadelphia. In the past, it developed early industries because of water power from the Lehigh River. With the location of a repair facility here and its regional operations, the Lehigh Valley Railroad became for years a... |
Crystals and ornaments of iridescent glass | Laura Bush | Blue Room | Deck the Halls and Welcome All |
| 2005 | Fraser fir, Laurel Springs, North Carolina | White lilies, crystal spheres and light-catching garland | Laura Bush | Blue Room | All Things Bright and Beautiful |
| 2004 | Noble fir Noble Fir Abies procera, the Noble Fir, is a western North American fir, native to the Cascade Range and Coast Range mountains of extreme northwest California and western Oregon and Washington in the United States... , Rochester, Washington Rochester, Washington Rochester is a census-designated place in Thurston County, Washington, United States. It was founded in 1852, and the 2000 census recorded its population at 1,829. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.3 square miles , all of it land. Rochester Schools... |
Musical instruments hand-painted by members of the Society of Decorative Painters. | Laura Bush | Blue Room | A Season of Merriment and Melody |
| 2003 | Fraser fir, Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... |
Ornaments first used by Barbara Bush in 1989. | Laura Bush | Blue Room | A Season of Stories |
| 2002 | Noble fir, Elma, Washington Elma, Washington Elma is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,107 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Elma is located at .... |
An artist from each state designed an ornament based on a native bird. | Laura Bush | Blue Room | All Creatures Great and Small |
| 2001 | Concolor fir White Fir White Fir is a fir native to the mountains of western North America, occurring at altitudes of 900-3,400 m. It is a medium to large evergreen coniferous tree growing to 25–60 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 2 m . It is popular as an ornamental landscaping tree and as a Christmas Tree... , Middleburg, Pennsylvania Middleburg, Pennsylvania Middleburg is a borough in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,382 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Snyder County.-History:... |
An artist from each state designed miniature replicas of historic houses from their region. | Laura Bush | Blue Room | Home for the Holidays |
| 2000 | Douglas fir, Auburn, Pennsylvania Auburn, Pennsylvania There is also an Auburn Township in Pennsylvania.Auburn is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 839 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Auburn is located at .... |
Ornaments were from the First Lady's past. | Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | Holiday Reflections |
| 1999 | Noble fir, Elma, Washington Elma, Washington Elma is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,107 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Elma is located at .... |
Doll makers fashioned toys of American historical figures for this tree. | Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | Holiday Treasures at the White House |
| 1998 | Balsam fir, Endeavor, Wisconsin Endeavor, Wisconsin Endeavor is a village in Marquette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 440 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Endeavor is located at .... |
Knitting Guild of America and the Society of Decorative Painters worked together with fabric artists Textile art Textile art may refer to:*Any one of the textile arts, those arts and crafts that use plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to construct practical or decorative objects*Fiber art, the creation of fine art using textile arts techniques and materials... from each state on the ornaments. |
Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | Winter Wonderland |
| 1997 | Fraser fir, Grassy Creek, North Carolina | Members of the National Needlework Association and Council of Fashion Designers of America Council of Fashion Designers of America The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. is a not-for-profit trade association of over 350 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. As of 2009, Diane von Fürstenberg is the group's President and Steven Kolb is the Executive Director... joined with glass artisans to design the trimmings. |
Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | Santa's Workshop |
| 1996 | Colorado blue spruce, Coshocton, Ohio Coshocton, Ohio Coshocton is a city in and the county seat of Coshocton County, Ohio, United States. The population of the city was 11,682 at the 2000 census. The Walhonding River and the Tuscarawas River meet in Coshocton to form the Muskingum River.... |
Woodcraft artisans and professional ballet companies helped with the ornaments. | Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | Nutcracker Suite |
| 1995 | Fraser fir, North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
Ornaments contributed by American architecture students and members of the American Institute of Architects American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image... . |
Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | A Visit From St. Nicholas |
| 1994 | Blue spruce Blue Spruce Picea pungens is a species of spruce native to western North America, from southeast Idaho and southwest Wyoming, south through Utah and Colorado to Arizona and New Mexico. It grows at high altitudes from altitude, though unlike Engelmann Spruce in the same area, it does not reach the alpine... , Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... |
Ornaments contributed by American art students. | Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | The Twelve Days of Christmas |
| 1993 | Fraser fir, North Carolina | More than 1,000 artists contributed angel-themed ornaments. | Hillary Clinton | Blue Room | Angels |
| 1992 | Grand fir Grand Fir Abies grandis is a fir native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California of North America, occurring at altitudes of sea level to 1,800 m... , Oregon Oregon Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern... |
White House florists made 88 gift-giving characters. | Barbara Bush Barbara Bush Barbara Pierce Bush is the wife of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, and served as First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. She is the mother of the 43rd President George W. Bush and of the 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush... |
Blue Room | Gift-givers |
| 1991 | Noble fir, Salem, Oregon Salem, Oregon Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood... |
Saintly Stitchers of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church St. Martin's Episcopal Church (Houston, Texas) St. Martin's is an Episcopal church in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. It is where former president George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush are members. It is also the second largest parish, and the largest in terms of average weekly attendance. About 10% of those confirmed in the Episcopal... in Houston created a needlepoint village and 92 pieces for a White House staff built Noah's Ark. |
Barbara Bush | Blue Room | Needle work Needlepoint Needlepoint is a form of counted thread embroidery in which yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas. Most needlepoint designs completely cover the canvas... tree |
| 1990 | Fraser fir, North Carolina | Used miniature porcelain Porcelain Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and... dancers. |
Barbara Bush | Blue Room | Nutcracker Suite |
| 1989 | Fraser fir, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... |
White House staff created 80 soft-sculpture literary characters. | Barbara Bush | Blue Room | Family literacy |
| 1988 | Balsam fir, Montello, Wisconsin Montello, Wisconsin Montello is a city in and the county seat of Marquette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,397 at the 2000 census. The Fox River flows through the city... |
Reused hand-blown glass ornaments from the Eisenhower administration, and reused Nixon's state flower balls. White House carpenters made 300 wood candles. | Nancy Reagan Nancy Reagan Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989.... |
Blue Room | Old-fashioned tree |
| 1987 | Fraser fir, West Virginia West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east... |
Miniature instruments, notes and sheet music made by patients at Second Genesis, drug-treatment program. | Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Musical theme |
| 1986 | Fraser fir, Washington | 15 soft-sculpture nursery rhyme Nursery rhyme The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:... scenes and 100 geese made by patients at Second Genesis, drug-treatment program. |
Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Mother Goose Mother Goose The familiar figure of Mother Goose is an imaginary author of a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes which are often published as Mother Goose Rhymes. As a character, she appears in one "nursery rhyme". A Christmas pantomime called Mother Goose is often performed in the United Kingdom... theme |
| 1985 | Blue spruce, Michigan Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake".... |
1,500 Ornaments made by patients at Second Genesis, drug-treatment program. | Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Ornaments made from Christmas card Christmas card A Christmas card is a greeting card sent as part of the traditional celebration of Christmas in order to convey between people a range of sentiments related to the Christmas and holiday season. Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day by many people in Western... s sent to the Reagans in 1984. |
| 1984 | Fraser fir, North Carolina | Ornaments made by patients at Second Genesis, drug-treatment program. | Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Ornaments made from plant material and other handcrafted natural ornaments. |
| 1983 | Noble fir, Orting, Washington Orting, Washington Orting is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population as of the 2010 census is 6,746, according to the City of Orting.- History :... |
Reused 1982 ornaments and added old-fashioned toys lent by Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum. | Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Old-Fashioned toys. |
| 1982 | Fraser fir, North Carolina | Ornaments made by patients at Second Genesis, drug-treatment program. | Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Foil paper cones and metallic snowflakes |
| 1981 | Douglas fir, Pennsylvania | Nancy Reagan's first tree did not involve Second Genesis. The ornaments were loaned by the Museum of American Folk Art. | Nancy Reagan | Blue Room | Ornaments from the Museum of American Folk Art. |
| 1980 | Douglas fir, Bristol, Indiana Bristol, Indiana Bristol is a town in Washington Township, Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,602 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bristol is located at .... |
Dolls, hats, fans, tapestries and laces. | Rosalynn Carter Rosalynn Carter Eleanor Rosalynn Carter is the wife of the former President of the United States Jimmy Carter and in that capacity served as the First Lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981. As First Lady and after, she has been a leading advocate for numerous causes, perhaps most prominently for mental... |
Blue Room | Victorian theme |
| 1979 | Douglas fir, West Virginia West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east... |
Corcoran School of Art created ornaments from balsa wood, fabric and dried flowers. | Rosalynn Carter | American folk art of the colonial period | |
| 1978 | Veitch fir, New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... |
Victorian Victorian era The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence... dolls and miniature furniture lent by the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum. |
Rosalynn Carter | Blue Room | Antique toys |
| 1977 | Noble fir, Washington | National Association for Retarded Citizens made eggshell ornaments. | Rosalynn Carter | Blue Room | Painted milkweed pods, nut pods, foil and eggshell ornaments. |
| 1976 | Balsam fir, Wisconsin | Natural ornaments made by the Garden Club of America. | Betty Ford Betty Ford Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford , better known as Betty Ford, was First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977 during the presidency of her husband Gerald Ford... |
Blue Room | "Love that is the spirit of Christmas" |
| 1975 | Douglas fir, New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... |
Used ornaments from 1974 plus experts from Colonial Williamsburg Colonial Williamsburg Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —... made ornaments from paper snowflakes, acorns, dried fruits, pinecones, vegetables, straw, cookies and yarn. |
Betty Ford | Blue Room | Old-fashioned children's Christmas |
| 1974 | Concolor fir, Michigan | Ornaments made by Appalachian women and senior citizens groups. | Betty Ford | Blue Room | Handmade crafts, thrift and recycling |
| 1973 | Fraser fir, North Carolina | In honor of James Madison James Madison James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United... |
Pat Nixon Pat Nixon Thelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon was the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, and was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974. She was commonly known as Patricia or Pat Nixon.Born in Nevada, Pat Ryan grew up in Los Angeles, California... |
Gold theme | |
| 1972 | Noble fir, Washington | Reused 1969 ornaments, added 3,000 pastel satin finish balls, and 150 gold federal stars. | Pat Nixon | Still Life with Fruit and Nature’s Bounty, paintings by Severin Roesen Severin Roesen Severin Roesen is a painter known for his abundant fruit and flower still lifes and is today recognized as one of the major American still-life painters of the mid-nineteenth century.-Life:... |
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| 1971 | Fraser fir, North Carolina | Reused 1969 ornaments, added Monroe fans, and gold foil angels. | Pat Nixon | American Flower Tree | |
| 1970 | White spruce White Spruce Picea glauca is a species of spruce native to boreal forests in the north of North America, from central Alaska east to Newfoundland, and south to northern Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine; there is also an isolated population in the... , Wisconsin |
Reused 1969 ornaments, added 53 Monroe fans. | Pat Nixon | Blue Room | American Flower Tree |
| 1969 | Blue spruce, Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
Disabled workers from Florida made velvet and satin balls featuring each state's state flower. | Pat Nixon | North Entrance | American Flower Tree |
| 1968 | White pine Pinus classification There are three main subgenera of Pinus, the subgenus Strobus , the subgenus Ducampopinus , and the subgenus Pinus... , Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S... |
19th century American style with gingerbread cookies. | Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson | Blue Room | 19th century gingerbread tree |
| 1967 | Blue spruce, Ohio | Same as 1965-66 but with silver baubles, silver stars, and round mirrors added. | Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson | Blue Room | Early American |
| 1966 | Balsam fir, Wisconsin | Traditional ornaments: nuts, fruit, popcorn, dried seedpods, gingerbread cookies and wood roses from Hawaii. | Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson | Blue Room | Early American |
| 1965 | Traditional ornaments: nuts, fruit, popcorn, dried seedpods, gingerbread cookies and wood roses from Hawaii. | Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson | Blue Room | Early American | |
| 1964 | Balsam fir | Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson | Blue Room | ||
| 1963 | Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson | ||||
| 1962 | Reused ornaments from 1961 plus other ornaments made by disabled and senior citizens. | Jacqueline Kennedy | North Entrance | Childhood | |
| 1961 | Balsam fir | Toys, birds, and angels modeled after Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite ballet. | Jacqueline Kennedy | Blue Room | Nutcracker Suite |
List of other known White House Christmas trees
| Year | Species and location grown | General notes | First Lady | Location | Theme (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | "Presents were piled high under the magnificent tree and stretched for yards into the East Room." | Mamie Eisenhower Mamie Eisenhower Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower was the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961.-Early life:... |
East Room | ||
| 1959 | Of the 26 trees there were trees in the laundry room, the maid's sitting room and David Eisenhower had his own private tree in the children's quarters. | Mamie Eisenhower | 26 trees throughout the White House | ||
| 1958 | ". . . decorated with electric candle lights, glass balls and large amounts of tinsel." | Mamie Eisenhower | 27 trees throughout the White House | ||
| 1954 | Silver tinsel Tinsel Tinsel is sparkling decorative material that mimics the effect of ice or icicles. When in long narrow strips, it emulates icicles. It was originally a metallic garland for Christmas decoration. The modern production of tinsel typically involves plastic, and is used particularly to decorate... , Eisenhower grandchildren opened presents under this tree. |
Mamie Eisenhower | East Room | ||
| 1947 | Bess Truman Bess Truman Bess Truman , was the wife of Harry S. Truman and First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953.-Early life:... |
East Room | |||
| 1944 | Elliot Roosevelt: ". . . the Christmas tree was in place and decorated, the piles of presents were ready for the unwrapping - each person's pile heaped on a separate chair." | Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international... |
Family quarters | ||
| 1937 | ". . . gleamed with snow and silver trimming." | Eleanor Roosevelt | East Room | ||
| 1936 | Eleanor Roosevelt | East Room | |||
| 1934 | Multiple trees were installed in the White House, some for public viewing and others for private enjoyment of the Roosevelts.A large tree was installed in the White House East Room. | Eleanor Roosevelt | East Room | ||
| 1929 | First "official" White House tree. | Lou Henry Hoover Lou Henry Hoover Lou Henry Hoover was the wife of President of the United States Herbert Hoover and First Lady of the United States, 1929-1933. Mrs. Hoover was president of the Girl Scouts of the USA for two terms, 1922-1925 and 1935-1937.... |
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| 1926 | Mrs. Coolidge chose to display three Christmas trees at the White House. | Grace Coolidge Grace Coolidge Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge was the wife of Calvin Coolidge and First Lady of the United States from 1923 to 1929.-Biography:... |
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| 1923 | Norway spruce Norway Spruce Norway Spruce is a species of spruce native to Europe. It is also commonly referred to as the European Spruce.- Description :... |
White House had two Christmas trees. | Grace Coolidge | Blue Room, and family quarters | |
| 1917 | Edith Bolling Galt Wilson | ||||
| 1916 | Edith Bolling Galt Wilson | Library The tree was for Wilson's great niece Josephine Cothran. | |||
| 1915 | Laden with gifts from members of the family and household. | Edith Bolling Galt Wilson | Library | ||
| 1914 | none | White House library Library (White House) The White House Library is located on the Ground Floor of the White House, the official home of the President of the United States. The room is approximately 27 by 23 feet and is located in the northwest of the ground floor. The Library is used for teas and meetings by the President and First Lady... |
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| 1912 | Helen Taft | Blue Room | |||
| 1908 | The first time there was a tree in the Roosevelt White House that was not attributed to young Archie Roosevelt. | Edith Roosevelt Edith Roosevelt Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was the second wife of Theodore Roosevelt and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1901 to 1909.-Early life:... |
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| 1905 | Tree decorated and set up by Archie Roosevelt, as the only member of the family who had "a fondness" for Christmas trees he distributed the presents "through this medium". | Edith Roosevelt | |||
| 1903 | Tree decorated solely by young Archie Roosevelt. | Edith Roosevelt | Living Room (The President's Den) (then Archie Roosevelt's bedroom) | ||
| 1896 | Decorated with red, white and blue electric lights.The decorating was supervised by Mrs. Cleveland and included tinsel ornaments and toys. | Frances Cleveland | Library | ||
| 1895 | Cedar Cedar Cedrus is a genus of coniferous trees in the plant family Pinaceae. They are native to the mountains of the western Himalaya and the Mediterranean region, occurring at altitudes of 1,500–3,200 m in the Himalaya and 1,000–2,200 m in the Mediterranean.-Description:Cedars are trees up to... |
Tree featured electric lights. | Frances Cleveland | Library | |
| 1894 | "Beautifully trimmed and decorated". Decorated with "tiny parti-colored electric lamps instead of the old-time wax candles." | Frances Cleveland | Library | ||
| 1893 | Frances Cleveland | Library | |||
| 1891 | Caroline Harrison Caroline Harrison Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison , wife of Benjamin Harrison, was first lady of the United States from 1889 until her death. She was the first “first lady” to be born in October.-Early life:... |
Library Library (White House) The White House Library is located on the Ground Floor of the White House, the official home of the President of the United States. The room is approximately 27 by 23 feet and is located in the northwest of the ground floor. The Library is used for teas and meetings by the President and First Lady... |
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| 1890 | At least one tree was displayed "for the little ones". | Caroline Harrison | |||
| 1889 | Foxtail hemlock Tsuga Tsuga is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock.... |
Glass balls and pendants, gold tinsel. Four-sided-lanterns used candles used for lighting. Credited as the first White House Christmas tree though the claim is disputed (see above). | Caroline Harrison | Yellow Oval Room | |
| 1853 or 1856 | Decorated for a group of Washington, D.C. school children. Credited as the first White House Christmas tree though the claim is disputed (see above). | Jane Pierce Jane Pierce Jane Means Appleton Pierce , wife of U.S. President Franklin Pierce, was First Lady of the United States from 1853 to 1857.... |
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See also
- National Christmas TreeNational Christmas Tree (United States)The National Christmas Tree is a large evergreen tree located in the northeast quadrant of the The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C. Each year since 1923, the tree has been decorated as a Christmas tree. The grand illumination of the Christmas lights on the tree by the President of...
- Capitol Christmas TreeCapitol Christmas TreeThe Capitol Christmas Tree is the decorated tree that is erected annually on the West Front Lawn of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Christmas holiday season...
- The Tree at Rockefeller Center
- White House Hanukkah PartyWhite House Hanukkah PartyThe White House Hanukkah Party is an annual reception held at the White House and hosted by the President and First Lady to recognize and celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The tradition was established in 2001, during the administration of George W...
Further reading
- Moorman, Margaret. "Rough Rider Spares That Tree", The New York Times (Books), December 20, 1998, accessed March 30, 2009.
- Morello, Carol. "Christmas tree farm refills tall order for White House", Washington Post, October 21, 2009, accessed November 2, 2009.
- Pickens, Jennifer B. Christmas at the White House, (Google Books link), Fife & Drum Press, 2009, (ISBN 0615287646).
External links
- Jackson, Lawrence. "Behind-the-Scenes Look: Time-Lapse Of The White House Christmas Tree", (video), The White House Blog, December 2, 2010, accessed December 3, 2010.
- "White House Christmas Ornaments", snopes.com, October 14, 2009, accessed November 2, 2009.