By Barbara LaMonica, Assistant Archivist
According to the National Christmas Tree Association ,German immigrants introduced the first Christmas trees to the United States in the 1830s. Initially small trees were cut down but eventually larger trees that reached floor to ceiling became popular.
The first Christmas tree to appear in the White House was during the Franklin Pierce administration in 1853. When Theodore Roosevelt occupied the White House (1901-1909) he attempted to stop the practice of having Christmas Trees out of his concern for the destruction of the forests. However, his older children did not agree and enlisted the help of conservationists to convince the President that, done properly, the practice would not threaten the forests. So the tradition of White House Christmas trees continues to this day. During the 1930s, President Franklin Roosevelt even started a Christmas tree farm on his estate in Hyde Park.
Over the years different types of trees assumed popularity. During the late 1800s through 1950’s the balsam and spruce trees with spaces between branches to make room for ornaments were standard. By the 1980’s the fuller trees, which are sheared in the summer to encourage extra growth, were typical.
In Huntington during the 1930’s the Huntington Station Christmas Committee consisting of the Huntington Manor Fire Department, and the Senior and Junior Cadets, held a parade and Christmas party for the children of Huntington Station. With Santa Claus riding in the Fire Chief’s car the parade marched through the business section to the Huntington Station bank where the parade disbanded. Santa Claus handed out candy and gifts to all the children.
