Who was the first US president to officially decorate a Christmas tree in the White House?

donnie

Franklin Pierce Nov 17 00, 1:24 AM

McGruff

Conflicting information. Did you know that there hasn't always been a Christmas tree in the White House? In fact, the first time a tree was brought in and decorated at the presidential mansion was in 1856. This was when Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, was in office. It did not become an established tradition to have a tree until the 1880s. http://www.ncchristmastrees.com/tradition.htm Franklin Pierce was the first president to introduce the Christmas tree to the White House in 1856 for a group of Washington Sunday School children. The first national Christmas Tree was lighted in the year 1923 on the White House lawn by President Calvin Coolidge. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/traditions.html">http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/traditions.html Yet, the "official" White House webpage doesn't seem to be aware of the Pierce's tree. The tradition of a placing a decorated tree in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning during the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison. http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/holiday/whtree/">http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/holiday/whtree/ Apr 15 04, 1:29 AM