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National Christmas Tree Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 088

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of correspondence, speeches, invitations, parking passes, sheet music, clippings, and photographs related to the history and raising of the National Christmas Tree, as well as items from the Christmas Pageant of Peace, which began in 1954.

Dates

  • Creation: 1923-1969

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

No known restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

The first Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C. occurred during the Woodrow Wilson administration in 1913 at the U.S. Capitol. Over the years, the ceremony took place at many different locations, including the Ellipse, Sherman Park, Lafayette Park, and the grounds of the White House. The event was permanently moved to the Ellipse in 1954, the first year that the Pageant of Peace festivities began.

Extent

0.25 Linear feet

1 Boxes

Arrangement

Processed without series.

Custodial History

The collection has been with the DC Public Library since 1983. Donor unknown.

Processing Information

Basic archival procedures were used at the time of processing.

Title
National Christmas Tree
Subtitle
An inventory of National Christmas Tree at DC Public Library
Author
Finding aid prepared by Ryan P. Semmes.
Date
2006-11
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository

Contact:
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4th Floor East
Washington DC 20001
(202)727-1213