FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge officially lit the First National Christmas Tree here in the Nation's Capital.
By simply pushing a button, the President turned on 2500 red, white and green bulbs on the balsam fir brought from his home state of Vermont. The tree was donated by Paul Moody, president of Middlebury College.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Grace Coolidge who approved the location of the Christmas tree. Music for the ceremony was provided by the United States Marine Band, along with the Epiphany Church and Congregational Church choirs.
The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the White House since 1923. The idea came from Frederick Morris Feiker* who saw it as a way to encourage the purchase of electric Christmas lights and the use of more electricity.
*Frederick Morris Feiker (1881-1967) was born in Northampton, Masschusetts. FMF was the Director of the Bureau of Foreign & Domestic Commerce & Dean of the School of Engineering at George Washington University.
SOURCE
"Frederick Morris Feiker," Find A Grave, www. findagrave.com/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge officially lit the First National Christmas Tree here in the Nation's Capital.
By simply pushing a button, the President turned on 2500 red, white and green bulbs on the balsam fir brought from his home state of Vermont. The tree was donated by Paul Moody, president of Middlebury College.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Grace Coolidge who approved the location of the Christmas tree. Music for the ceremony was provided by the United States Marine Band, along with the Epiphany Church and Congregational Church choirs.
The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the White House since 1923. The idea came from Frederick Morris Feiker* who saw it as a way to encourage the purchase of electric Christmas lights and the use of more electricity.
*Frederick Morris Feiker (1881-1967) was born in Northampton, Masschusetts. FMF was the Director of the Bureau of Foreign & Domestic Commerce & Dean of the School of Engineering at George Washington University.
SOURCE
"Frederick Morris Feiker," Find A Grave, www. findagrave.com/
The 1st National Christmas Tree
Washington, D.C. (1923)
National Park Service Photo
