2009 White House Christmas Ornament, First Electric Christmas Lights

The only president of the United States elected to two non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and as the 24th from 1893 to 1897. The 2009 White House Christmas ornament commemorates the 24th presidency and it is the second of two produced in Cleveland’s honor by the White House Historical Association. This second ornament illustrates the special place of the Christmas tree in the holiday celebrations of President Cleveland’s young family. The central hologram depicts the south façade of the White House after an evening snowfall. The warm glow of the first Christmas tree to be illuminated by electric lights is seen through the tall windows of the second floor Oval Room beyond the center of the columned portico. This softly colored view is based on a modern watercolor rendition by Margaret Huddy, a Washington, D.C.-based painter. The reverse side of the ornament recreates a scene from the tree-trimming parties of President and Mrs. Cleveland, which were held annually for their children and those of cabinet members. The words of a period newspaper report help to describe the president’s delight in preparing Christmas day for his young family. A finely crafted gold finished wreath of snowflakes, painted ice blue and white, frames the oval ornament.