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The White House
The Christmas holiday was a happy time for the Harrison
family especially during their first years in the White House. Benjamin and
Caroline shared Christmas in the White House with their children,
grandchildren, Dr. Scott, Mary Dimmick, Lieutenant
and Mrs. Parker, the household staff, and the nation. A newspaper clipping
describes the days’ events.
“The tooting of a horn in a series of more or less musical notes was the
signal for the commencement of the Christmas celebration at the White House
this morning shortly after 10 o’clock. When Mrs. Dimmick
blew this juvenile instrument, faces came
smiling from every door all around her in the corridor upstairs, and soon all
the members of the presidential family had assembled in a laughing
procession.”
“Mary’s (Lodge McKee) gifts had a full set of baby doll furniture, with baby
doll, lady dolls and boy dolls, a piano, a kitchen outfit and a quantity of
other feminine necessities in the world of babydom,
while Benjamin (Baby McKee) had a steam engine, a couple of train cars, a
full suit of armor, books, pictures, and all manner of things to tickle a
boyish fancy.”
Harrison Home
Benjamin Harrison was the first President to have a decorated Christmas
tree in the White House and his home in Indianapolis
reflects his fondness for celebrating the holiday. During the holiday season
the house represents a gala Victorian Christmas at its finest. Outside, the
house is festooned with garlands of greenery and bows on the wrap around
porch. Upon entering the house, guests will feel drawn back in time as they
are welcomed to view a 19th century Christmas.
The front parlor features a large tree similar to one Benjamin Harrison
decorated for his Grandchildren in 1889 in the White House. Authentic
decorations such as wooden soldiers, cotton batting ornaments, hand blown
glass figures, candles and even original Harrison
tinsel adorn this tree. Victorian toys, many of them Harrison
originals, will be displayed under the tree as the children might have found
them on Christmas morning.
The seven fireplace mantels throughout the house are lavishly decorated
with greenery, dried flowers, pine cones, seed pods, fresh flowers, ribbons
and bows. Many of the designs were taken directly from period publications.
This same treatment will also be used on mirrors, furniture, chandeliers, and
doorways. Garlands
and ribbons will cascade gracefully down the banister which extends for three
floors.
The traditional evergreen was not the only holiday tree used by the
Victorians. Feather trees, made from dyed goose feathers were also popular.
These trees originated in Germany
as part of the early conservation movement. A feather tree decorated with
hand blown glass ornaments will be on display. A snow tree will also be
featured, this tree, made from last year's real tree with needles removed and
swathed in cotton batting, was traditionally covered with edible treats such
as cookies and candies.
Another unique item featured will be "Old Father Christmas,"
inspired from an 1868 Ladies Godey's Magazine. He is made from pine cones,
moss, sheep's wool and real fur. Other historic decorations will include
pomanders, a kissing ball, wreaths, a greenery covered lyre, tussie mussies and cornucopias.
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Thursday,
Dec. 20