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Three decades of White House ornaments at Washington's Willard Hotel

See three decades of White House ornaments at Washington's Willard Hotel: The grand historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 27 unveiled its Christmas decorations with a festive ceremony. The event featured choir singers singing "Noel" and a sampling of holiday sweets and presidential-themed cocktails. But it was the hotel's Christmas tree that stole the show.
See three decades of White House ornaments at Washington's Willard Hotel: The grand historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 27 unveiled its Christmas decorations with a festive ceremony. The event featured choir singers singing "Noel" and a sampling of holiday sweets and presidential-themed cocktails. But it was the hotel's Christmas tree that stole the show.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
The opulent lobby Christmas tree - available for public viewing - features 30 years of White House ornaments, and USA TODAY's Hotel Check-In has assembled this photo gallery for you.
The opulent lobby Christmas tree - available for public viewing - features 30 years of White House ornaments, and USA TODAY's Hotel Check-In has assembled this photo gallery for you.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
The Willard's 14-foot tree is adorned with more than 300 official White House Christmas ornaments from the last 30 years from the White House Historical Association. They've become collectibles for millions of people around the world.
The Willard's 14-foot tree is adorned with more than 300 official White House Christmas ornaments from the last 30 years from the White House Historical Association. They've become collectibles for millions of people around the world.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
Each shiny ornament honors a president or a special White House event. It's a fitting theme, since both the hotel - and city - are preparing for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 21, 2013.
Each shiny ornament honors a president or a special White House event. It's a fitting theme, since both the hotel - and city - are preparing for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 21, 2013.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
The Willard Hotel has been a prime inaugural hotel for over 150 years in part because it sits on Pennsylvania Avenue on the parade route - and between America's two houses of power, the White House and U.S. Capitol.
The Willard Hotel has been a prime inaugural hotel for over 150 years in part because it sits on Pennsylvania Avenue on the parade route - and between America's two houses of power, the White House and U.S. Capitol.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
If you go, see if you can find this year's ornament: It depicts William Howard Taft, America's 27th president (1909-1913) and the first lady, being driven in a chauffeured car delivering Christmas presents.
If you go, see if you can find this year's ornament: It depicts William Howard Taft, America's 27th president (1909-1913) and the first lady, being driven in a chauffeured car delivering Christmas presents.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
Many of the ornaments depict the White House, which is about a five-minute walk from the Willard. The hotel has hosted nearly every U.S. president since 1853.
Many of the ornaments depict the White House, which is about a five-minute walk from the Willard. The hotel has hosted nearly every U.S. president since 1853.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
Some ornaments depict Christmas gifts from days gone by.
Some ornaments depict Christmas gifts from days gone by.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
During the ceremony, people spoke about the hotel's history. "The Willard Hotel is not just a collection of steel and stone. It has a special mystique in the history of the country and the city," said Oliver T. Carr, Jr., Chairman of Carr Hospitality, the company that restored the Willard in 1986 and saved it from demolition. The hotel, for instance, was where Lincoln held a meeting in February 1861 aimed at trying to prevent civil war, he said. It's also where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King finished his "I Have a Dream" speech.
During the ceremony, people spoke about the hotel's history. "The Willard Hotel is not just a collection of steel and stone. It has a special mystique in the history of the country and the city," said Oliver T. Carr, Jr., Chairman of Carr Hospitality, the company that restored the Willard in 1986 and saved it from demolition. The hotel, for instance, was where Lincoln held a meeting in February 1861 aimed at trying to prevent civil war, he said. It's also where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King finished his "I Have a Dream" speech.
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The tree, embellished with ribbons and ornaments, is photogenic from all sides.
The tree, embellished with ribbons and ornaments, is photogenic from all sides.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
Besides the charming tree, visitors will notice other decorations, such as holiday time greenery that encircles the massive columns in the hotel's ornate lobby.
Besides the charming tree, visitors will notice other decorations, such as holiday time greenery that encircles the massive columns in the hotel's ornate lobby.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
Holiday revelers and photographers, however, will likely gravitate towards the tree first.
Holiday revelers and photographers, however, will likely gravitate towards the tree first.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
The Willard's tree-lighting ceremony also ushered in tea season. Here's a sample of the goodies served with tea.
The Willard's tree-lighting ceremony also ushered in tea season. Here's a sample of the goodies served with tea.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
A seat at tea time costs $39 per person, or $53 with champagne.
A seat at tea time costs $39 per person, or $53 with champagne.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
Visitors arriving for afternoon tea sit in Peacock Alley, now decorated for the holidays. The Willard's classic, wood-paneled Round Robin Bar is ready, too. Bartender Jim Hewes created cocktails with past president's favorite alcohol (or, in some cases, soda) in mind. Honest Abe's Log Cabin Cider ($15), for instance, is a warm drink that contains cinammon-spieced bourbon and apple cider.
Visitors arriving for afternoon tea sit in Peacock Alley, now decorated for the holidays. The Willard's classic, wood-paneled Round Robin Bar is ready, too. Bartender Jim Hewes created cocktails with past president's favorite alcohol (or, in some cases, soda) in mind. Honest Abe's Log Cabin Cider ($15), for instance, is a warm drink that contains cinammon-spieced bourbon and apple cider.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
If visiting, don't pass up the chance to see this oversized gingerbread model of the hotel. Unlike the hotel, the gingerbread version didn't wait to get its inauguration decorations ready. Also worth noting: If you're coming to Washington in December, the Willard's presenting choral singers and music ensembles for free live shows each night, except Sundays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If visiting, don't pass up the chance to see this oversized gingerbread model of the hotel. Unlike the hotel, the gingerbread version didn't wait to get its inauguration decorations ready. Also worth noting: If you're coming to Washington in December, the Willard's presenting choral singers and music ensembles for free live shows each night, except Sundays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Barbara DeLollis, USA TODAY
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