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Contact: Karen Shoemaker, 406-846-2070 ext. 224 “Holiday in the National Parks” Celebrated at the White House
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site Ornament Displayed on the Official White
(Deer Lodge) – Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site ornament is prominently displayed on this year’s official White House Christmas Tree. The tree is the centerpiece of elaborate decorations celebrating the theme of “Holiday in the National Parks.”
“It is an amazing honor for the National Park Service to be selected as the theme for the White House holiday decorations by the President and Mrs. Bush,” said National Park Service Director
The tree, located in the Blue Room, is adorned with handmade ornaments representing the country’s 391 National Park Service sites. “Each ornament on the magnificent 18-foot Fraser fir was designed by an artist selected by the park,” said Bomar. “The ornaments tell the stories of our parks, just as our parks tell the stories of our nation.”
The Grant–Kohrs Ranch is located in Deer Lodge, Montana. Diane Hausmann of Fairfield, Montana was chosen to paint the Grant-Kohrs Ranch ornament. The ornament depicts a portrait of Johnny Grant and Conrad Kohrs on opposing sides, the large white house with a Belgian team and freight wagon is greeted by Mrs. Kohrs at the front gate. The Chuck wagon and herd of cattle with Mount Powell in the distance are on the other side. The three herd bulls are on the bottom and the cow/calf herd grace the top of the ornament. Ms. Hausmann, and Laura Rotegard the Superintendent of Grant-Kohrs Ranch were delighted to attend the reception at the White House hosted by Mrs. Bush on November 28.
The holiday displays incorporate the wide variety of natural, cultural, and recreational features preserved by the National Park Service. Models of icons such as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Statue of Liberty share space with paintings of scenic vistas from Grand Canyon, Zion, and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Holiday garlands intertwined with park objects including seashells, pine cones, and gold aspen leaves add to each room’s festive feel.
A highlight of the decorations is a scaled-down, but architecturally accurate, gingerbread reproduction of the south view of the White House, a unit of the National Park Service. The edible masterpiece includes Bush family pets Barney, Miss Beazley, and Willie frolicking on the lawn with moose, elk, raccoons, and other animals found in national parks.
“National Parks commemorate the people, places, and events that define the American experience,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “I am so appreciative of President Bush’s efforts to recognize the important role of national parks in American society. Our country will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 and the President has been instrumental in establishing the National Park Centennial Initiative to prepare the parks for the next century.”
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Last updated: February 24, 2015