New exhibit tells story of White House holiday history

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research 1:37 New exhibit tells story of White House holiday history

By:

Chase Parker

21 Nov 2024 229

Special Collections and University Archives in Newman Library is housing a new exhibit titled, "White House Christmas: Selections from the Genevieve R. Herrell Collection." The collection is being showcased during the holiday season and contains Christmas-related materials that Herrell collected during her time as the White House nurse from 1952-1977.

This exhibit was pushed through a little faster than we normally would for a collection, specifically because the holiday season is here, and this collection has materials focused specifically on Christmas and the holiday season generally. The items that are on display are selections from the Genevieve Harald collection. It's a collection that spans her time as a nurse at the White House. So 1952 to 1977, and included in it was a a lot of Christmas related materials. They do give a lot of behind the scenes looks at what Christmas at the White House was like for the first families. So one of the things that I like to focus on with special collections is the wonder. That you can get from the cal materials. And I think this collection specifically brings that wonder forward. The holiday season Christmas in general has sort of that sense of magic and wonder to it. And so these being White House items, signed by presidents, signed by First Ladies. Specifically, some of them are inscribed with personal messages to Genevieve Harald. They're special.

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