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In 1981, the White House Historical Association created
THIRTY-NINE YEARS OF the first Official White House Christmas Ornament,
establishing a tradition that honors the presidents of the
j{|àx [Éâáx United States and reflects on the history and events that have
taken place in the President’s House.
Produced by the White House Historical Association, a
non-profit organization charted in 1961, the ornament is
V{Ü|áàÅtá meant to be a way to share the traditions of the Executive
Mansion and help the Association fund its mission to preserve
the White House and its history for future generations.
The story behind each ornament speaks to the individuality
and times in which a president lived, a particular part of his
life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As a collection, they
bÜÇtÅxÇàá showcase the journey and rich history of the men who have Official 2020 White House
led the country.
The White House Historical Association’s Official 2020
By White House Christmas Ornament honors John Fitzgerald Christmas Ornament
honoring President
The White House Historical Association Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president of the United States. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
– Calvin Coolidge, December 1927

1981 1985 1989

The 1981 White House James Madison, the Commemorating
Christmas Ornament is fourth president of the the 200th anniversary
the first annual United States, 1809-17. It of the Presidency of
ornament created celebrates the hospitality the United States
by the White House and warmth of the with a replica of the
Historical Association and depicts an Madison White House official seal of the
angel in flight. with two early silhouettes of president. It is this
President and Mrs. Madison. seal that President
1982 Rutherford B. Hayes
George Washington, the first 1986 adapted in 1880 to a coat
of arms for the president.
president of the United States, James Monroe, the
1789-97. A faithful fifth president of
miniature replica of the the United States, 1990
dove of peace weather- 1817-25. Showing Martin Van Buren,
vane that Washington the south front 8th President of the
commissioned for his home of the President's United States,
at Mount Vernon. House as it was 1837-41. The
decorated in 1824 Congress gave
1983 during Christmas and New Year's festivities. him $20,000 for
repairs to the
John Adams, the
second president of 1987 mansion includ-
ing central heating
the United States, John Quincy Adams, the
in the main rooms, and
1797-1801. The first sixth president of the United
he ordered the state parlors
president to live in the States, 1825-29. Adams, a ded-
redecorated - changing the oval parlor to blue
White House, the icated gardener, developed the
and it has remained so ever since.
ornament depicts the landscape of the White House
north façade as he and established an arboretum of
would have known it, before the addition of the American tree specimens. 1991
columned portico. William Henry
1988 Harrison, the ninth
1984 Andrew Jackson, the president of the
United States, who
Thomas Jefferson, the seventh president of the
died just thirty-two days
third President of the United States, 1829-37.
after his inauguration.
United States, 1801- Depicting the president’s
On March 4, 1841—
09. Based on the children with an invita-
inauguration day—
historic Jefferson peace tion to join in their
Harrison mounted a
medal, minted in 1801. holiday “frolic” in the
beautiful white charger
Jefferson’s portrait is on East Room.
and led a large proces-
one side; the opposite shows
sion to the Capital to take his oath of office.
the clasped hands of an Indian and a soldier.
40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles