Event History Happy Hour: Hanukkah and Holiday Traditions at the White House
Join us on the first night of Hanukkah, with a look back at celebrations of this holiday of miracles and...
Main Content
The first Christmas tree in the White House was placed in the Second Floor Oval Room in 1889.
1 Includes Christmas 2015. Although previous presidential administrations displayed Christmas trees indoors, it was First Lady Mamie Eisenhower who consistently placed a tree in the Blue Room and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy who established the tradition of selecting a decorative theme for the Blue Room Christmas tree in 1961. The Blue Room tree tradition was interrupted twice. In 1962, the tree was moved to the Entrance Hall because of renovation work. In 1969, First Lady Patricia Nixon chose to display the tree in the Entrance Hall to make it more visible.
Compiled by the White House Historical Association. Please credit the Association by its full name when using this as background material. Specific sources consulted available upon request.
For all media inquiries, contact press@whha.org.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.
Join us on the first night of Hanukkah, with a look back at celebrations of this holiday of miracles and...
The White House Historical Association released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast today, “Remembering President John F. Ke...
The White House Historical Association today released the 71st issue of its award-winning magazine, White House History Quarterly, “The White Ho...
The White House Historical Association joins the nation in its remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter and the grace, compassion,...
The White House Historical Association joins the nation in remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Mrs. Carter maintained an active...
The White House Historical Association has announced that its popular quarterly series “White House History” will be moderated in 2024 by Marg...
This program features Pulitzer Prize-winner David Hume Kennerly, who was President Gerald R. Ford’s chief photographer. Kennerly details his ex...
Bestselling author and historian C.W. Goodyear discusses his new biography of President James A. Garfield. This work offers fresh...
The White House Historical Association's 2024 quarterly series White House History with Margaret Brennan will feature four conversations dealing with various...
The White House Historical Association's 2024 quarterly series White House History with Margaret Brennan will feature four conversations dealing with various...
The White House Historical Association's 2024 quarterly series White House History with Margaret Brennan will feature four conversations dealing with various...
The White House Historical Association's 2024 quarterly series White House History with Margaret Brennan will feature four conversations dealing with various...