White House Historical Association Christmas in July Celebration
Month-Long Festivities Spotlight White House Holiday Traditions and Honor the History of the Executive Mansion
Washington, D.C. —
The White House Historical Association is celebrating Christmas in July and the Official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament, which represents the cherished tradition of displaying a gingerbread house in the White House each holiday. The 2022 Ornament also commemorates the first time a gingerbread house was displayed in the State Dining Room by First Lady Pat Nixon in 1969.
This month, brand new exclusive holiday products and discounts on Official White House Christmas Ornaments will be available at shop.whitehousehistory.org.
The Christmas in July festivities kick off with a gingerbread house building contest, running through July 31. The Association will also host a special edition of History Happy Hour on July 7. This virtual event will begin with a ginger-inspired drink followed by trivia exploring some of the most popular White House holiday traditions.
The Official 2022 Christmas Ornament is available for purchase now through the holiday season. All the proceeds directly support the work of historians, educators, and archivists to discover hidden figures, educate the general public, and preserve White House history, including important art, décor, and other collections.
Join The White House Historical Association this Christmas in July for the following activities:
- White House Gingerbread Building Contest
- Create your own gingerbread White House, inspired by this year’s ornament, using materials easily found in the kitchen, backyard, or local craft stores. To enter the contest, participants will be required to submit a photo of their unique creations in one of three categories: baking, nature, and arts & crafts, for a chance to win a holiday-inspired prize basket. Enter in July. One winner from each category will be chosen in early August. Click here to learn more.
- History Happy Hour: Trivia Night
- Thursday, July 7, 5:30PM EST
- Join the Association for a special edition of its popular History Happy Hour program, exploring Executive Mansion traditions over the years with a night of trivia and a walkthrough of a new “Gingerized Roosevelt” cocktail from the Waldorf Astoria. RSVP here.
- Trivia night will be hosted by the Association’s Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, Dr. Colleen Shogan, and will include a special introduction of Frank Caiafa, author of the Waldorf Astoria’s Bar Book and Dan Tubb, Senior Director of Sales at The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria Residences.
- Christmas in July Retail Event
- Enjoy brand new exclusive holiday products, plus discounts on Official White House Christmas Ornaments and other holiday merchandise through August 1. Shop the sale at shop.whitehousehistory.org.
- To learn more about the Official 2022 White House Christmas Ornament and the tradition of gingerbread at the White House, visit whitehousehistory.org/2022.
For more information, contact press@whha.org.
P.D.F. Resources
Download the PDFAbout the White House Historical Association
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.