Wind Cave Ornament Hangs on White House Christmas Tree

Artist Sabrina Henry and Wind Cave’s White House Christmas Decoration.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 6, 2007

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-4600

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – Images of Wind Cave’s famous boxwork formation, and its world-renown bison herd, hang from the official White House Christmas tree as part of the theme “Holiday in the National Parks.”

The plastic Christmas decoration, covered with images of the cave’s boxwork formation and the park’s bison herd, was painted by former park employee Sabrina Henry. Using acrylic paint, she created a three-dimensional look on the five-inch diameter sphere.

“Coming up with the idea was easy,” said Henry. “Wind Cave National Park is known for its boxwork formation and bison herd. The hard part was designing the painting on a round surface. It took a few weeks, but it is a privilege to represent the park in creating a piece of history for the White House."

The tree, located in the Blue Room, is adorned with handmade ornaments representing the country’s 391 National Park Service sites. Artist selected by each park designed the ornaments on the 18-foot Fraser fir. The holiday displays throughout the White House incorporate the wide variety of natural, cultural, and recreational features preserved by the National Park Service.