Off the Editor’s Desk – 12-18-2019
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George and Martha Washington’s White House Christmas
As I sat at my desk daydreaming the other day, I began to wonder what it was like at the White House for President George Washington and First Lady Martha. Washington served as President from 1789 to 1797. I found a website called “44 Diaries” where I got this information.
“George Washington was sworn in as the first President on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City. There was no White House at that time so the Washington’s lived in houses that were ‘borrowed’ as Presidential homes, first in New York and later in Philadelphia.
“At a time when Christmas was still quite controversial in the new nation, and at the time Martha Washington’s holiday receptions were stiff and regal affairs. Quite befitting the dignity of the office of President of the United States and invitations were much desired by the local gentry.
“A Christmas party as given by the Washington’s for members of Congress on Christmas Day 1795 at which a bountiful feast was served to the guests, all men with the exception of the First Lady.
“Although not everyone celebrated Christmas in the colonies, the festivities at Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia would start at daybreak with a Christmas fox hunt. It was followed by a hearty mid-day feast that included ‘Christmas pie,’ dancing, music, and visiting that sometimes did not end for a solid week. This, of course, is in stark contrast to the Christmas of 1777; spent by General Washington and his troops at Valley Forge where dinner was little more than cabbage, turnips and potatoes.
“Some documents show that Christmas at Mt. Vernon was quite a celebration. The traditional feast varied from household to household (depending on how wealthy the family was) but generally, consisted of wines, rum punches, hams, beef, goose, turkey, oysters, mincemeat pies, and various other treats. The season was considered a grown-up celebration, but presents would generally be given to children.
“When the second President, John Adams moved into what would come to be known as the White House, the residence was cold, damp, and drafty. Sitting at the edge of a dreary swamp, the first family had to keep 13 fireplaces lit in an effort to stay comfortable. It is in this setting that the cantankerous president held the first ever White House Christmas party in honor of his granddaughter, Susanna. It could be said that the invitations sent for this party were the very first White House Christmas cards, though in those early days, the building was referred to as the President’s Place, Presidential Mansion, or President’s House.
“The affair was planned in large part by the vivacious First Lady, Abigail Adams, and was considered a great success. A small orchestra played festival music in a grand ballroom adorned with seasonal flora. After dinner, cakes and punch were served while the staff and guests caroled and played games. The most amusing incident of the evening occurred when one of the young guests accidentally broke one of the First granddaughter’s new doll dishes. Enraged, the young guest of honor promptly bit the nose off of one of the offending friend’s dolls. The amused president had to intervene to make sure the incident didn’t turn any uglier.”
But then Christmas did not become a national holiday until 1870 during the administration of Ulysses S. Grant.
Another item that we need to remember is that it is the 75th anniversary of the “Battle of the Bulge.”
On December 16th, 1944, German forces surprised American soldiers in the densely forested Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, with a massive offensive, creating a bulge in the Allied defensive lines. The deadly battle lasted until January 25, 1945 and was the largest on the European western front during WWII and resulted in an estimated one in 10 American combat casualties during the entire war.
The cost of the battle was high for the United States with 19,000 dead, another 47,500 wounded and 23,000 missing.
Thanks for reading! ~Carlton