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 “Holidays at the White House: A
Presidential Christmas” features decorations, photographs and gifts
from the administrations of Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald
Ford and George H. W. Bush. Special decorations, graphics and video
projections add to the exhibit’s festive feel.
Highlights include:
• A set of spurs given to Johnson by the president of Mexico
• A heart-shaped box given by Nixon to his wife, Pat
• A carving that Ford’s son gave to his mother, which later hung in
the Oval Office
• Santa Claus ornaments from the Bush Christmas display in 1992
• A red gown with gold brocade worn to a Christmas party by Betty
Ford
The special exhibit runs through Jan. 6. It is provided as part of
regular admission to the Lincoln museum (212 N. 6th Street,
Springfield).
“I think it’s fascinating to see how different administrations
celebrated the holidays. It gives you a glimpse into the personal
style of each president and first lady,” said Alan Lowe, executive
director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “We
are so grateful to the other presidential libraries that have
allowed us to borrow holiday items from their collections.”
The Lincoln Presidential Library is also marking the holiday season
with an “angel tree” inviting people to donate to Sojourn Shelter &
Services and by admitting people for free after 4 p.m. to take
family photos with our decorations.
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Christmas at the White House is never a simple affair. In some
cases, it comes amid turmoil and tragedy, as in 1963 after the assassination of
President Kennedy or 1974 after President Nixon’s resignation. Even under normal
circumstances, it was a huge undertaking. First lady Barbara Bush recalls her
shock at learning the preparations began in February!
The exhibit shows the formal side of the presidency – Nixon’s choice of Lincoln
for his Christmas cards, for instance – as well as the more personal side.
Photos show the presidents and first ladies playing with children on Christmas
eve, decorating cookies and reading Christmas stories.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to telling the
story of America’s 16th president through old-fashioned scholarship and modern
technology. It also serves as the state historical library.
The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln material, as well as
some 12 million items pertaining to other aspects of Illinois history.
Meanwhile, the museum uses traditional exhibits, eye-catching special effects
and innovative story-telling techniques to educate visitors.
Learn more at www.President
Lincoln@illinois.gov
[Christopher Wills]
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