Presidents past and present have put on stunning Christmas tree displays at the White House.
Former President Benjamin Harrison is credited by the White House Historical Association with being the first person to display a Christmas tree in the White House. It was placed in the Oval Room on the second floor in 1889.
The first known Christmas tree to be displayed in the White House was decorated with candles for Harrison’s grandchildren. According to the White House Historical Association
Former President Theodore Roosevelt was president before the Christmas tree became a staple of holiday celebrations at the White House. (Special News Agency/Getty Images)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt sold Christmas trees to local residents on his own property in the 1930s.
It is believed that when Theodore When Roosevelt took office in 1901, the Christmas tree tradition disappeared throughout his presidency. The answer is whether Christmas trees are “banned” during this time. And why is not yet clear.
According to History.com, Roosevelt “banned Christmas trees from the White House,” citing “environmental reasons” as possible causes.
The National Christmas Tree Association echoes similar thoughts. It states on its website that in 1901, Roosevelt tried to end the tradition of having a Christmas tree in the home due to concerns about deforestation.
According to the Forest Historical Society The tradition of giving a Christmas tree at the White House wasn’t established until the 1920s, with presidents before Roosevelt deciding to have one and others choosing not to.
The White House now has several Christmas trees. Including the one that is lit during the annual ceremony. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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In the early days of the Christmas tree Families with young children mostly choose to display and decorate their homes, according to sources.
The White House Historical Association describes the allegation that Roosevelt banned Christmas trees at the White House as a “myth,” without much evidence to support the claim. Beyond the simple facts that this family chose not to plant trees
The Roosevelt family celebrated Christmas with many popular traditions, such as exchanging gifts. Attend a church ceremony and enjoy a delicious meal together as a family But chose not to plant trees, according to news sources.
Although in 1902 Archibald “Archie” Roosevelt, the president’s son Secretly the miniature tree was placed in a White House closet where he decorated it and proudly presented it to his family.
Archibald Roosevelt, son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, brought a small tree It was decorated in the White House during his father’s tenure as president. (Stock photomontage/Getty)
Whitehouse selects North Carolina Family Christmas Tree Farm to supply 2024 trees
After that, according to the White House Association, The president has allowed this tradition to continue.
Many researchers have reasoned why Roosevelt did not have a large tree on display during his presidency as one of his conservation concerns. But according to the White House Association, That’s because the Christmas tree tradition is just one that families don’t practice.
It was years later, in 1912, when the first Christmas tree was displayed in the Blue Room by the children of former President William H. Taft, according to sources. As a way to surprise your parents when they return from Earth, away.
During former President Dwight Eisenhower served as president. When the Christmas tree found a home in the Blue Room by the First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower regularly First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy continued, according to the White House Association.
Every year the National Christmas Tree Association prepares one tree for display at the White House. (Photo Andrew Harnick/Getty)
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Kennedy is also responsible for the tradition that continues to this day of decorating the Blue Room tree with a theme. which she started in 1961
Kennedy’s initial Christmas tree theme was the ballet “Nutcracker Suite.” The 2024 White House theme chosen by First Lady Jill Biden is “A Season of Peace and Light,” according to WhiteHouse.gov.
Another modern tradition that has endured is the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. It was started in 1923 by former President Calvin Coolidge.
The tree that was lit in 1923 was a 48-foot balsam pine, according to the National Christmas Tree Lighting website.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has provided Christmas trees for display in the Blue Room of the White House.
The 2024 White House Christmas tree comes from the family-owned and operated Cartner Christmas Tree Farm in Newland. North Carolina
