Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
301425558
label
Printed Materials - Gather Around, Holidays at the White House 2013
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
301425558
contentType
document
title
Printed Materials - Gather Around, Holidays at the White House 2013
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Calligraphy Office. (Obama Administration)
General Files
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
301425558
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
d418aebf622005a5
ocrText
Barack Obama Presidential Library
MATURAL AND LITTERS SCRIPTA MANET RECORDS
Systematic Scanning Cover Sheet
1985
Per Folder
Collection:
Calligraphy Office, White House
Series:
General Files
Container Number: Legal Hollinger
71068
Folder ID: 52547
Folder Title: Printed Materials - Gather Around, Holidays at the
White House 2013
Systematic File Name: t068887811-052547-71068
mass
working
mum
Gather Around
Tha hank you for visiting the White House! We are delighted to
welcome you as we gather around and celebrate the stories and
traditions that bring us together at this special time of year.
As members of one American family, we are united in a story built
over the course of two centuries. The holidays are a wonderful
opportunity to recall our Nation's journey, to reflect on the
blessings we enjoy and the trials we weather, and to remember
those who serve and sacrifice for our freedoms. It is a season when
each of us can do our part to care for one another-whether by
volunteering, offering a kind word to a stranger, or opening our
hearts to someone in need.
May you be inspired by your visit to the "People's House," where
you will discover festive decorations and rich tales, and may we
all carry the spirit of the season with us throughout the New Year.
Our family wishes you and your loved ones the very best, and we
hope your holidays are filled with joy and peace.
michelle Obama
EAST VISITOR ENTRANCE
EAST COLONNADE
AND LANDING
Peek out the floor-length
The outer walls of the White House's East Wing
windows and past the stained
are decorated with lush garland and gleaming
glass wreaths to the Jacqueline
gold vines; flickering lanterns encourage guests
Kennedy Garden; there stands
to gather inside the entry way of the "People's
another Christmas tree wrapped in twinkling
House." Overhead, chandeliers are covered in fresh
lights perched atop a scarlet sleigh. A hand-
greenery and dangling ornaments, while the pillars
made ruby and jade archway, composed of
are decorated with a red berry and gold-and-green
satin ribbon and chenille stems, leads to a room
leaf design.
dedicated to celebrating the joy of being a child during the
The first tree within the walls of the White House
holiday season.
pays tribute to the men and women who serve in
our Armed Forces. Decked in red, white, and blue
EAST GARDEN ROOM
ornaments, it proudly sits on the East Landing of
Imagination runs wild in the East Garden Room, where
the East Wing. To honor our Gold Star Families,
the magic of the season transforms the ordinary into the
who have lost a loved one serving in the
extraordinary. Books morph into stunning Christmas
military, ornaments in the shape of stars hang
trees, and their pages become unique works of art. On
from the tree's branches. These small tokens of
the east wall of the room, black and white ribbons
remembrance represent the brave service members
intertwine to bring replicas of First Dogs
who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country
Bo and Sunny to life. If you watch closely,
and serve as a constant reminder that our fallen
you might even catch the Portuguese
heroes, and their families, will never be forgotten.
Water Dogs wagging their tails!
VERMEIL ROOM
The glow of gilded silver brightens the portraits of First Ladies
gracing the walls of the Vermeil Room, and rings draped in
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to his family every Christmas.
pink and cream satin give the room a wintry flair. A festive
And today, First Lady Michelle Obama visits patients at the Children's
arrangement of purple roses and hydrangeas complements the
National Medical Center every year to read holiday favorites such as
décor, adding a touch of natural elegance to the space. Since
T'was the Night Before Christmas.
the Nixon Administration, this area has been a sitting room. In
ages past, it served as a storeroom, dressing room, office, and
EAST ROOM
billiard room.
The largest room on the State Floor, the East Room
CHINA ROOM
pays tribute to the special role the arts play in our
Dangling crystal ornaments decorated with greenery and berries
country's history. The arts both reflect the American
spirit and help shape our national character, and the
hang from the tree, and candles placed atop vermeil candlesticks shimmer on the
decorations throughout the East Room, many of
mantelpiece. Though the tradition of commissioned White House China began
which were made by volunteers, remind us of this
in 1817, it was not until decades later that First Lady Caroline Harrison began
cornerstone of American culture. Hand-made
cataloguing and displaying the china services associated with previous First Families.
cardboard houses decorate the four
Years afterward, First Lady Edith Wilson established this room as the China Room.
grand trees spread throughout the room.
Brightly colored finial ornaments and
LIBRARY
painted pinecones are nestled in the
The White House Library is home to 2,700
trees, while fresh green garlands line the
books, and highlights the long-standing
mantelpieces and door frames. Wreaths
American tradition of sharing
hang over the mirrors reflecting the
stories with family and friends.
famous paintings of President George
Reading holiday classics is a
Washington and First Lady Martha Washington.
ritual that First Families, like
On the wall of the East Room sits the White House crèche. The crèche
families across our country, have
has been a part of the White House holiday décor since it was given
enjoyed for generations. President
by the Engelhard Family during the Johnson Administration in 1967.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our country's
Originally from Naples, Italy, the Baroque-style set consists of 44
32nd President, read
terracotta and wood figures, some over 300 years old.
GREEN ROOM
Flower ornaments, sugared fruits, and lush foliage convey the
beauty of nature in the Green Room, accenting the oldest piece
of architecture found inside the White House: a marble mantel
installed in 1819. Originally placed in the State Dining Room, this
magnificent mantelpiece moved to the Green Room when President
Theodore Roosevelt renovated the White House in 1902. Multiple
administrations have worked to ensure this room and its furnishings
portray the Federal style reminiscent of our Nation's early days.
THE BLUE ROOM
At the heart of the White House lies the Blue Room. This oval room
is home to the official White House Christmas Tree, and this year's
tree, like many in years past, features decorations honoring our military
families. Children, living on bases across our country, created holiday
greeting cards made in the shape of their home state. These unique
decorations, along with round ornaments featuring the silhouettes of
each state and territory, hang from the tree's majestic branches. Red,
white, and blue ribbon trim the 18-foot-6-inch Douglas-fir from
Lehighton, Pennsylvania.
Through long deployments and frequent moves, our service members
and their families remain our country's most resilient patriots, and, as
the decorations remind us, these brave Americans come from every
corner of the United States. As a Nation, we have an obligation to
serve our military families as well as they serve our country. To send a
message of thanks, share your family's story of service, or get involved in
your community, please visit:
WWW.JOININGFORCES.GOV.
THE RED ROOM
The final parlor room on the
State Floor is the Red Room.
Embroidered satin ribbons
cascade down the two trees,
painted nutcrackers accent side
tables, and stained-glass wreaths
STATE DINING ROOM
adorn windows overlooking
the South Lawn. During the
George P.A. Healy's iconic portrait of President Abraham Lincoln hangs in
Roosevelt Administration, First
the State Dining Room, where timeless decorations like wreaths, ribbons, and
Lady Eleanor Roosevelt used the
snowflakes evoke memories of the first Christmases observed within these walls.
room to host the first of many
In 1800, President John Adams was the first leader to step inside the newly built
gatherings for women reporters
White House. Shortly after his arrival, President Adams penned a moving letter
who at that time were excluded
to his wife, Abigail, who was still living in New England: "I pray Heaven to
from the President's press
bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it.
conferences.
May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof." Over 200 years
For many years, the Red
later, his inspired words form the centerpiece of the State Dining Room's mantel.
Room has been home to the
Dather
traditional White House
Armand
The State Dining Room is also home to the famous gingerbread house. Over
the course of several weeks, members of the White House pastry team work
cranberry tree. In keeping with
diligently to perfect every detail of the 300-pound, edible White House replica.
this custom, a vibrant crimson
This year, the gingerbread house rests on a custom-made hearth fashioned from
and plum-colored flower and
Springerle Cookies. These sweet treats tell stories through images imprinted on
fruit vase-made entirely of
their dough by hand-carved, wooden molds. Framing the opening of the hearth
sugar paste-contains a one-of-a-
are sugar paste recreations of the tiles commissioned for President Franklin
kind arrangement of scarlet and
Delano Roosevelt's fireplace. The act of gathering around a fireplace reminds us of
fuchsia flowers and cranberries.
President Roosevelt's famous "fireside chats," which lifted the spirits of Americans
during a time of great trial.
ENTRANCE HALL AND CROSS HALL
Decorations that represent our Nation's heritage drape the North Entrance and Cross
PINECONE CANDLE
Hall. Celebrating the holiday season with guests from across our country and around
the world has been a White House tradition since the 1800s.
MATERIALS:
On January 1, 1863-one of the most historic days in our Nation's history-
3 inch glass votive candle
President Abraham Lincoln welcomed thousands of visitors to the White House for
pinecones (you can buy scented pinecones from your local crafts store,
a New Year's Day reception before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation. After
or use a dry pinecone that you have found outdoors)
shaking thousands of hands, he went upstairs to sign the momentous document.
masking tape
Fatigued from greeting so many guests, the President's right hand trembled as he
hot glue/hot glue gun
went to sign. President Lincoln knew that a jittery signature would make it appear as
glitter spray (optional)
though he hesitated in his decision. So he paused, waited for his hand to steady, then
clippers and/or pliers
slowly and firmly signed his name. One hundred and fifty years later, we gather in
these historic halls and remember the ongoing work of perfecting our Union.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Wrap the glass votive in masking tape to provide a protective layer.
2. Using clippers and/or pliers, cut the pinecone scales from the pinecone,
she
creating enough material to cover the entire surface.
UNITED
3. Starting at the top of the votive, glue a row of pinecone scales around the
perimeter.
4. Continue gluing
rows in an overlapping
fish-scale motif until the
entire votive has been
covered.
Optional: Spray the
finished piece with glitter
spray to add sparkle.
Cranberry Upside Down Cake
A recipe from the White House Pastry Kitchen
For the bottom of the cake pan:
Cake:
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup tightly packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, separated
IN APPRECI
½ cup unsalted butter,
1/2 cup milk
The White House is
(1 stick)
Pre-heat oven to 350°.
Executive Residence
S
Melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan and pour into the bottom of a greased
and the many volunte
9" cake pan with a parchment circle on the bottom. Add cranberries.
the country who gathe
help prepare and deco
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
House this holiday sea
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter with half the sugar
appreciate all of the ha
until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat in the orange juice.
students from Sitar A
Add the egg yolks one by one, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of
the Duke Ellington
the bowl. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk.
Arts, both located i
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the other half of the sugar until the whites hold
D.C., who created the
a firm peak. With a large spatula gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter in
year's holiday booklet.
two additions.
Pour the batter into the cake pan containing the sugar and cranberry mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 - 40 minutes, or until the top of the cake has browned,
starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the
cake comes out clean.
Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Run a sharp
knife around the edge of the pan and then flip the cake over onto your serving plate.
Makes one 9-inch cake