When I was a kid fifty years ago,
President Theodore Roosevelt
had a bad rap. We learned that way back in the 1900s, he banned Christmas trees from the White House.
Who was the first president to decorate the White House Christmas tree?
President William H Taft
became the first president to have a Christmas tree in a public portion of the White House, when his children put up a tree in the Blue Room during his presidency.
Who was the first president to put up a Christmas tree in the White House?
White House Christmas Trees. The tradition of a placing a decorated tree in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning during the Presidency of
Benjamin Harrison
When was the first documented Christmas tree put up in the White House?
The first known Christmas tree in the White House was placed upstairs in the Second Floor Oval Room (then used as a family parlor and library) in
1889
(during the Benjamin Harrison administration). It was decorated with candles for the Harrison grandchildren.
How do you get chosen to decorate the White House for Christmas?
- Outline a letter explaining your nomination.
- Address the letter to a specific individual at the White House.
- Prepare the final draft of your letter.
- Wait for a reply.
Is the White House decorated for Christmas 2020?
This year brought a traditional-style of decor, with plenty of green Christmas trees with white lights and red ornaments. The
Green Room of the White House is decorated during the 2020 Christmas preview
on Nov. 30, 2020.
Why did Teddy Roosevelt not allow Christmas trees in the White House?
This much we know for certain: in 1901, having moved into the White House only a few months before Christmas following the assassination of McKinley, the Baltimore Sun reported in a special dispatch that the Roosevelt children couldn't enjoy a tree
because of the “cramped quarters
,” so they instead “must” have it at …
Why didn't Teddy Roosevelt want a Christmas tree in the White House?
The lack of a tree in 1902 was due
to the fact that President Theodore Roosevelt had not ordered one by December 23
. … In 1922 First Lady Florence Harding's illness led to a more subdued Christmas celebration at the White House and no Christmas tree.
How many Christmas trees are in the White House 2020?
There are
62 Christmas trees
, 106 Christmas wreaths, more than 1,200 feet of garland, more than 3,200 strands of lights and 17,000 bows, according to a Monday press release from the White House.
Where is the Christmas tree for the White House coming from?
The tradition of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse began with President Calvin Coolidge over 90 years ago when he lit a 48 foot Balsam Fir from
Vermont
decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white, and green on Christmas Eve 1923. Today, the tree lighting remains a beloved holiday event in Washington, DC.
Where is the White House Christmas tree from this year?
The 2020 White House Christmas Tree, in the Blue Room, came from
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
. The Green Room highlights American wildlife, with bird and butterfly ornaments displayed among the greenery. The China Room, made over to resemble a home kitchen.
Why did Theodore Roosevelt ban Christmas trees?
Theodore Roosevelt's commitment to conservation is well known. Less well known was the 26th president's ill-fated attempt to ban Christmas trees at the White House. … So many trees were cut down for the holidays, he believed, that it was
contributing to deforestation
—and he wanted to set an example for the country.
How many people does it take to decorate the White House for Christmas?
In fact, it takes
about 400 staff members
and volunteers to decorate the public rooms. From numerous Christmas trees to a 300-pound white chocolate replica of the White House, the First Lady and her staff devote much of December to decorating and entertaining guests from all across the country.
How many volunteers decorate the White House for Christmas?
“We” being about
90 volunteers
. The White House Social Secretary, Julianna Smoot, said they had invited about 100 volunteers, but only about 90 showed up to work.
Who really decorates the White House for Christmas?
First Lady Melania Trump
will decorate the White House for Christmas one final time next month. Following her husband's election loss, Christmas will be the last holiday for which she will be in charge of decorating the “People's House” in Washington, D.C.
Will HGTV host the White House Christmas 2020?
HGTV's annual White House Christmas special, narrated this year by HGTV's Alison Victoria, showcases the 2020 holiday decorations at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — as well as highlights from the home's holiday transformations over the past decade.
