QUICK FOLKLORE & HISTORY FACTS

• 1510, the first decorated Christmas Tree is in Riga, Latvia. Early Christmas Trees are decorated with paper, fruits and sweets.
• 1531, the first retail Christmas Tree lots are started in German cities.
• By the 1600's, Christmas Trees are decorated with ribbon, tin shapes, small books and lace as well as food.
• 18th century, the first recorded Christmas Tree decorated with lit candles.
• 1777, the tradition of the Christmas Tree is brought to Colonial America by Hessian troops fighting for Britain in the Revolution War.
• 1804, U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) bring evergreen trees into their barracks at Christmas.
• 1842, Charles Minnegrode introduces the custom of a decorated Christmas Tree in Williamsburg, Va.
• 1851, Mark Carr opens a retail Christmas Tree lot in New York City, the first in the United States.
• 1856, Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, brings the first Christmas Tree into the White House.
• 1923, President Calvin Coolidge starts the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White house lawn.
• 1966, members of the National Christmas Tree Association start the tradition of presenting a Real Christmas Tree each year to the President and First Family.

Source: National Christmas Tree Association and your local Christmas Tree professional. For more information contact: Rick Dungey, 636/449-5070, dungey@realchristmastrees.org