War on Christmas ... Trees

December 24, 2015  •  Leave a Comment

As an ardent environmentalist, Theodore Roosevelt did not want a Christmas tree inside the White House. At the turn of the 20th century, the saving of pine trees from perishing for the holiday became a cause, prompting letters to President McKinley to stop "arboreal infantcide." TR's son Archie defied the ban, secretly getting a small tree from the grounds and putting in a closet. On Christmas Day 1902 he surprised his family with the tree and presents for all, including the dog, cat, and pony.

His cousin Franklin started a Christmas tree farm at his Hyde Park, NY estate in the 1930s and planned to return to that occupation after he retired from politics.

 

 

 


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