At-A-Glance Facts About
Vermont’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
November 2007
The Capitol Christmas Tree has been
a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. This year's tree is
a gift from the people of Vermont and a celebration of the Green
Mountain National Forest’s 75th anniversary. The
Green Mountain National Forest, the
Bennington Chamber of Commerce and many other
partners throughout Vermont have been working all year to
deliver this prestigious tree to the Nation's Capitol.
The tree’s location in the Forest
was kept secret until its public debut on Friday, Nov. 16, when
it was introduced in a harvest ceremony, close to Somerset
Landing outside of Bennington.
The 55-foot balsam fir has traveled
600 miles along the East Coast through seven states on its way
down to Washington. It has visited veterans hospitals
(including Walter Reed Army Medical Center, on Saturday) and
veterans homes along the way. The carbon footprint associated
with transporting the tree to Washington has been offset through
the purchase of carbon credits and the planting of new trees
after the harvest ceremony. Also this year, only strands of LED
(Light-Emitting Diode) lights will be used to decorate the
entire tree. LED lights use little energy, compared to
incandescent lights, and they last much longer.
After the tree is lifted into place
on the lawn at the West Front of the Capitol, it will be
decorated with more than 4,500 ornaments, all crafted by
children and artists from across Vermont. The ornaments reflect
this year’s theme, “Bringing an Old Fashioned Holiday to the
Nation,” and they depict Vermont’s heritage, historical events,
people, and natural resources. Along with the Capitol Christmas
tree, 80 smaller companion trees have been donated by the
Vermont contingent of the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree
Association. These companion trees will be delivered to
Congressional Offices, the Supreme Court, Walter Reed Army
Medical Center, Arlington National Cemetery, and other official
locations.
Then on Wednesday, December 5,
during a 5 p.m. ceremony, the tree will be lit by Speaker of the
House Nancy Pelosi with Acting Architect of the Capitol, Stephen
T. Ayers, serving as the master of ceremonies. Holiday music
will be performed by the United States Army Band and carols sung
by the Mount Anthony Union High School Choral from Bennington.
The Chief of the Forest Service, Gail Kimbell, who received her
bachelors degree from UVM, will be a part of the lighting
ceremony, as will the president of the U.S. Capitol Historical
Society, Ronald Sarasin. The Vermont delegation will all be
attending and each member will say a few words. After that
ceremony and the lighting of the tree, the Vermonters will head
over to the U.S. Botanic Garden for the Capitol Christmas Tree
Lighting Reception where Senator Leahy will be the honored
guest. The reception will be hosted by the Bennington Chamber
of Commerce and will feature many Vermont inspired foods and
flavors such as maple syrup, Vermont cheeses, apples, Ben and
Jerry’s Ice Cream, and beverages from Magic Hat Brewing Company.
The tree will be lit from nightfall
until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1, 2008.
To learn more, check out the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree 2007
website:
http://www.capitolchristmastree2007.org/
Additional Photos
Nov. 26 - Christmas Tree Arrival:
Sen. Leahy with the drivers who safely delivered the Christmas
tree from Vermont.
The tree is carefully removed from the truck after eight days of
travel.
Capitol workers stabilize the tree in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Dec. 5 - Snowy Day:
The tree received a dusting of snow on the morning of Dec. 5.
The star and the Statue of Freedom in the snow.
Visitors to the U.S. Capitol admire the tree on a snowy day.
Dec. 5 - Lighting Ceremony
Photo by Sen. Leahy of the Tree and the U.S. Capitol
Hundreds of folks came out to see the lighting ceremony.
Branden Young of Randolph, Vt. helped the Vermont Congressional
Delegation light the tree.
