Presidents past and present have decorated the White House with breathtaking Christmas trees.
Former President Benjamin Harrison is recognized by the White House Historical Society as the first person to display a Christmas tree in the White House, installing one in the second-floor Oval Room in 1889.
According to the White House Historical Society, the first Christmas tree in the White House was decorated with candles for Mr. Harrison’s grandson.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt was president before Christmas trees became a staple of White House holiday festivities. (Bobaku Tsushinsha/Getty Images)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt sold Christmas trees to local residents on his property in the 1930s.
When Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901, it is believed that the Christmas tree tradition did not exist throughout his presidential term. It is not clear whether or not Christmas trees were “banned” during this period, and why.
According to History.com, President Roosevelt “banned the installation of a Christmas tree from the White House” for “environmental reasons.”
The National Christmas Tree Association agrees, noting on its website that in 1901 President Roosevelt tried to end the practice of putting up Christmas trees in homes over concerns about deforestation.
According to the Forest Historical Society, the tradition of displaying a Christmas tree in the White House wasn’t established until the 1920s, with presidents before Roosevelt deciding to install a tree and others choosing not to install a tree. It is said that he did.
There are currently many Christmas trees in the White House, including one that is lit during the annual ceremony. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Americans visit family-run Christmas tree farms to pick perfect pines: ‘A crowd-pleaser’
Sources say that when Christmas trees first became popular, it was mainly families with young children who chose to decorate their homes with Christmas trees.
The White House Historical Association says President Roosevelt’s alleged ban on White House Christmas trees is a “myth” and supports the claim beyond the simple fact that the family chose not to decorate the tree. There was little evidence.
According to sources, the Roosevelts celebrated Christmas with many popular traditions, including exchanging gifts, attending church services and enjoying a nice family meal, but they did not put up a tree. That’s what it means.
But in 1902, young Archibald “Arch” Roosevelt, the president’s son, secretly placed a miniature tree in a White House closet, displayed it, and proudly presented it to his family.
Archibald Roosevelt, son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, introduced a small decorative tree to the White House during his father’s presidency. (Stock Montage/Getty Images)
White House Selects North Carolina Family Christmas Tree Farm to Provide 2024 Christmas Tree
The president has since authorized the tradition to continue, according to the White House Association.
Although many researchers cite reasons related to conservationism as the reason President Roosevelt didn’t decorate a large tree during his presidency, the White House Institute says it’s simply because of Christmas tree traditions. This is because it was not practiced by the Roosevelt family.
Sources say the first Christmas tree was put up in the Blue Room several years later, in 1912, by former President William H. Taft’s children as a way to surprise their parents upon their return from the Presidency. It is said that it was. Away.
It was during former President Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency that a Christmas tree was consistently placed in the Blue Room by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. This was inherited by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, according to the White House Association.
Every year, the National Christmas Tree Association provides a tree to decorate the White House. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Kennedy was also responsible for a tradition that continues to this day of decorating the Blue Room tree according to a theme he began in 1961.
Kennedy’s first Christmas tree theme was the ballet “The Nutcracker Suite.” According to WhiteHouse.gov, the 2024 White House theme chosen by First Lady Jill Biden was “A Season of Peace and Light.”
Another modern tradition that has stood the test of time is the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. It was started in 1923 by former President Calvin Coolidge.
According to the National Christmas Tree Lighting website, the tree lit in 1923 was a 48-foot-tall balsam fir.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has provided Christmas trees for the Blue Room of the White House.
The 2024 White House tree comes from the family-owned Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, North Carolina.
Ashlyn Messier is a writer for Fox News Digital.
