Monday, December 14

Christmas at the White House

Author Jennifer Pickens

The lovely Jennifer Pickens recently sent me a copy of her fabulous new book Christmas at the White House. Jennifer, a fellow Texan, spent more than four years researching and writing this wonderful book. Christmas at the White House beautifully documents the lavish private and public Christmas celebrations, decorations, themes and traditions spanning half of a century.

Illustrated with more than 500 photographs, many of which have never been viewed by the public before, this book is a real jewel. At Jennifer’s insistence the book was printed and bound in the United States by Williamson Printing located in Dallas, Texas. Williamson is a premier 125-year-old “green” printer using earth friendly dyes, 100% wind generated power, and recycled paper that contains 10% recovered fiber content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to the White House Historical Association.

1961 - Caroline Kennedy and the Official Tree

1971 - Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower

1984 - Nancy and Ronald Reagan

2004 - Grand Foyer Pianist

2007 - Barney and Miss Beazley

You can see additional photos on Cote de Texas

12 comments:

Vintage Living Magazine said...

Ronda, I already have more stylish books than places to display and store for them.

Thanks to you, I'm going to have to find room for yet another one.

Thank you! :-)

Shannon

sophie dahy designs said...

Lovely book!! The photographs are wonderful!

Jenn from The Home Decorating Company said...

This seems like a wonderful book! It will be very interesting to get an inside look on how our nation's leaders have spent their holiday seasons.

Karena said...

What a treat to view all of these beautiful images! A true piece of history!

Leciawp said...

Wow - I hadn't heard about this book! I'd love to have this rich piece of history (adding to my wish list now). Thanks for sharing these images. xo

Thank You For Asking said...

How interesting. I love seeing the styles in clothing as well.
Good for the author for her insistence of "local"

HAMPTON HOSTESS said...

Beautiful photos--great gift idea, thanks for sharing! Hampton Hostess

Gwen Driscoll said...

Ronda,

Love this book. I got it for my Mom for Christmas. Thanks for the post.

Gwen
Ragland Hill Social

Katherine Lee said...

I'm loving the picture of the two scotties in the snow. Yet another book to add to my Christmas list!

xo Katherine aka. Urban Flea :)
http://www.urbanfleadesign.net

Coty Farquhar said...

What a fantastic book, they are just positively perfect settings.

I will have to find this book for Christmas for me. ... hmmmm a gift to myself.

Have a lovely festive season Rhonda and a happy week.

xx Coty

The-Countrypolitan said...

Well... being a Texan, I'm sure she did the book justice! But seriously, it looks like a very nice book to add to a design library.

Houses Gardens People said...

As a fellow Texan, too, I've been following Jennifer's progress with the book, and am so impressed by her skilled research. She literally tracked down photos from presidential libraries, private collections and in people's attics all over the country. So many of the older photos were in bad shape, so she spent countless hours (and money) having them brought back to life. She also wrangled interviews with all six living first ladies for the book, including Laura Bush, who wrote the introduction. For the first time ever, their Christmas memories have been documented in a single book. It seems historic!