Four pieces of Michigan’s heritage will dangle from the White House Christmas tree over the holidays.
Each state donated four ornaments to adorn the tree for this year’s theme, At Home for the Holidays, which was chosen by First Lady Laura Bush. The MSU Museum was chosen by Gov. John Engler’s office to oversee the creation of the ornaments, which are modeled after historic structures in the state.
Museum spokeswoman Lora Helou said this is the first time the museum has been asked to help with the creation of ornaments for the White House tree.
“I think it’s a real honor any time you’re tapped by the White House or the governor’s office,” she said.
Michigan’s additions are the Cappon House in Holland, the Ring House in Saginaw, the Old Mackinac Light Station in Mackinaw City and Glen Arbor’s John Burfiend Barn.
The three-dimensional, white ornaments contributed by each state were created from a lightweight wood and are between 6 and 8 inches in height and 6 inches wide.
Julie Avery, assistant curator of history and project coordinator, said she contacted the White House because she wanted to include more than just houses in the project.
“I know Michigan is at the forefront with our barns and lighthouses, so I contacted the White House and got the go -ahead,” Avery said. “I connected with state networks and I worked with them and we identified potential buildings that way.”
Avery said the ornaments were sent to the White House in November. The ornaments will not be returned and will become part of the White House’s ornament collection.
Anne Mervenne, chief of staff for Michigan’s first lady Michelle Engler, said it was left up to the artists who designed the ornaments to decide which buildings to represent. Mervenne said it was not a hard decision to pick the museum to run the project.
“We just have a wonderful relationship with MSU and we’re just well aware of all the wonderful resources the university has to share with both the state and the nation,” she said. “We were really looking for things that represent Michigan.”
