The George W. Bush Presidential Library was on my “Want to Do List” this Christmas. I was afraid that I was going to miss the opportunity to see the current exhibit – All Creatures Great and Small – that displays the ornaments from the 2002 White House Christmas tree and paper mache animals from that year’s White House Christmas decorations.
Throughout our country’s history, presidents have had pets. The exhibit includes historical pictures, as well as interesting facts and information about several presidents and their pets.
Twenty-five paper mache sculptures of presidential pets were constructed by the White House staff for the 2002 Christmas at the White House. Woodrow Wilson had sheep to mow the White House lawn during the war.
Pet raccoons inhabited the White House during Calvin Coolidge’s tenure.
The historical photographs were most interesting. Grace Coolidge and Rob Roy.
President Gerald Ford and Liberty.
The Kennedy’s had a menagerie of animals – dogs, rabbits, Guinea pigs, birds, etc. Macaroni was Caroline Kennedy’s pet pony. One of their dogs, Pushinka, was a gift from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Pushinka’s mother was Strelka, the first dog sent into space by the Russians (August of 1960).
This exhibit is probably the next best thing to being able to visit the White House at Christmastime.
For the White House Christmas tree in 2002, each state was asked to have five artists contribute bird ornaments. Two hundred thirty ornaments were received, and one hundred eighty of those ornaments are on display this year at the library.
This is a mockingbird ornament from Texas. (There are many other mockingbirds on the tree since the mockingbird is the most common state bird.)
If I understood the docent correctly, the roadrunner wearing a cowboy hat is also from Texas.
This graceful gull was one of my favorites.
A stained glass meadowlark from North Dakota was pretty.
We enjoyed viewing the various ornaments, and could have looked at them for long long time.
Also on display are ball gowns worn by Mrs. Bush during the 2002 Christmas season. I loved seeing these pretty gowns with the intricate lace and beadwork. (I really thought I took more pictures, but….)
Be still my heart. Just imagine getting an invitation to a Christmas Ball at the White House. I can dream.
Blessings to you and yours,
There is still time for you to visit this Christmas exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Library. It will close on January 13, 2015. I wonder what the next exhibit will be? We are prepared since we decided to buy a membership. ($75 duel; $125 family) I think it will save us money.
During this outing, we also stopped by the Dallas Arboretum to see the Byers’ Choice Ltd. Carolers exhibit in the DeGolyer House. I love these carolers, and was amazed at Kim and John Samyan’s collection. This display closes on January 4, 2015. We also enjoyed visiting the Twelve Days of Christmas displays during the daytime. If you haven’t seen the Twelve Days of Christmas displays at night, they are offering BOGO if you enter after 7:30 pm on December 29-January 4.