The Ellipse in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The National Christmas Tree
President's Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
At 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse and “pushed the button” to light the first National Christmas Tree. A crowd of 3,000 witnessed the inaugural lighting of the 48-foot, cut Balsam fir, donated by Middlebury College, Vermont. For the next thirty years, live trees were lit at various locations on or near the White House grounds. Finally, in 1954, the ceremony returned to the Ellipse.
Cut trees served as National Christmas Trees until 1973. It was then decided to plant a permanent live tree. The current National Christmas Tree, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce was transplanted from York, Pennsylvania, in October 1978. Since President Coolidge began the tradition in 1923, each presidential administration has participated in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Man-Made Features • Notable Events • Peace. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #30 Calvin Coolidge, and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1978.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.704′ N, 77° 2.174′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in The Ellipse. Marker was on E Street Northwest west of 15th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. Marker is accessible to pedestrians just south of the White House. It is off the sidewalk on the south side of E Street Northwest — at the north edge of the Ellipse in President’s Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1600 E Street Northwest, Washington DC 20005, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named The National Christmas Tree (here, next to this marker); Zero Milestone (within shouting distance of this marker); White House Kitchen Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); John Saul (within shouting distance of this marker); White House Ablaze (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Tecumseh Sherman (about 600 feet away); Boy Scout Memorial (about 700 feet away); Original Patentees Memorial (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
[Photo captions:]
President Coolidge lights the first National Christmas Tree in 1923.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree ceremony on Christmas Eve, 1941. The Oriental spruce, shown above in the color photograph, still stands today on the south lawn of the White House.
The National Christmas Tree decorated (above) in 1996. The Colorado blue spruce was transplanted (right) to the Ellipse in 1978.
Also see . . . U.S. National Christmas Tree Blown Down by Heavy Winds. (Submitted on April 1, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 8, 2017
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 8, 2017
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,024 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on December 8, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on December 10, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on December 20, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8, 9. submitted on December 8, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 10, 11. submitted on December 8, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.