History
The White House Christmas tree, also known as the Blue Room Christmas Tree, is the official indoor Christmas tree of the White House. It is traditionally situated in the Blue Room of the White House.
It has been said that the first White House Christmas tree was installed in the 19th century, but the exact year is undetermined. There were some claims as to when the first Christmas tree was erected. First, it was noted that President Franklin Pierce installed the first Christmas tree in 1850s (1853 or 1856). The second one was of President Benjamin Harrison’s in 1889 (or 1891). Neither claim was ever proven.
Nonetheless, during his term, President George W. Bush credited the first White House Christmas tree to President Benjamin Harrison. It was said that First Lady Caroline Harrison facilitated the decoration of the tree, which was then located in the White House’s oval parlor at the second floor, now known as the Yellow Oval Room.
Between the regime of President Harrison and 1929, Christmas trees were not part of the official White House Christmas celebrations. It was not until the term of President Herbert Hoover that the first "official" White House Christmas tree started. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover started the tradition of having the First Lady as the official decorator of the Christmas tree.
During the Christmas of 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy started the tradition of a themed Christmas tree, putting its motif and the design under the sole discretion of the succeeding First Ladies. The theme she chose was the Nutcracker Suite.
Description
The White House Christmas tree is carefully selected from a number of tree growers all over America. The state that supplied the most number of trees to the White House is North Carolina, with 11 trees. The second one is Washington State, with seven.
Since 1961, the tree has been installed in the White House Blue Room. However, on certain occasions it was setup in the Entrance Hall.
There is only one official White House Christmas tree. However, many Christmas trees are installed inside and outside of the White House. In 1997, 36 Christmas trees were displayed, while in 2008, there were 27.
The height of the White House Christmas tree is normally 18 to 20 feet tall. Because of this, the crystal chandelier in the Blue Room must be uninstalled.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) has donated the trees which were carefully selected during an annual contest within the association.
