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Contact: Carol Hegeman, 717-338-9114 Ext, 4411 The staff and volunteers at Eisenhower National Historic Site are welcoming the public to celebrate this holiday season at the home and farm of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower. The Eisenhower home will be decorated for Christmas,December 1 through 31, 2013. The celebration includes a holiday reception on Saturday, December 14* with free cider and cookies courtesy of Gettysburg Tours, Inc. * Due to anticipated snow, the holiday reception has been postponed to Saturday, December 21st. Mamie Eisenhower loved to decorate their home for Christmas. As White House Chief Usher J. B. West said, "Mamie Eisenhower decked the halls with more than holly." Her hand is evident in the home's recreated decorations, complete with mistletoe, wreaths, and poinsettias. A brightly lit, candy cane-covered Christmas tree surrounded by presents illuminates the living room. A life-sized Santa Claus enlivens the casual atmosphere of the Eisenhowers' porch while, in the kitchen, gifts of sugar cookies and plum pudding await the arrival of the Eisenhower grandchildren. The dining room table is set for Christmas dinner and the Eisenhowers' Christmas records playing in the background add to the holiday atmosphere. The Eisenhowers' specially designed White House Christmas cards are on exhibit, along with Christmas gift prints of the President's paintings. One of the original decorations from the first family on display is a 1950s handmade Christmas shadow box. Park interpreters are on hand to share Eisenhower family recollections of Christmas in Gettysburg. The Eisenhower National Historic Site is open daily with shuttle buses leaving the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center at 10 a.m.,11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5.00 for youth ages 6 -12; children age 5 and under are admitted free. Advance reservations are available and highly recommended for groups. Reservations can be made by calling 877-874-2478. The Site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. For more information contact the Eisenhower National Historic Site at 717/ 338-9114 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/eise. |
Last updated: February 26, 2015