It has been a tradition for the president of the United States to light a national Christmas tree beginning in 1923 with President Calvin Coolidge. One year, that tree came from northern Maine and created many “firsts” for the tree program.
In 1954, the scope of the national Christmas tree program was broadened to emphasize the desire for peace through the spirit and meaning of Christmas. The ceremony then officially became known as the Pageant of Peace. President Eisenhower was, therefore, the first President to light the national Christmas tree for the Pageant of Peace. The Pageant was held on the Ellipse, a grassy area to the south of the White House. Since the Ellipse serves many purposes throughout the year, a cut tree rather than a living tree was used until 1972.
Traditionally, the national tree came from west of the Mississippi and from public land. In 1959, while planning for Presque Isle’s centennial, Carlton Corliss of the Association of American Railroads and Rep. Clifford G. McIntire suggested that Presque Isle bid for the right to present President Eisenhower with the national Christmas tree. The Executive Director of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, Clarence Arata, notified the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce on March 20, 1958, that the bid had been accepted.
A search then began to find a tree that would meet the stringent specifications of the chief horticulturist of the National Capital Parks Department, George Harding. Over the next few months, more than 500 trees were screened. In October, a tree in Presque Isle was finally selected by the committee. The tree that was chosen was a 70-foot white spruce from the Elmbrook farm of Miss Alice Kimball. The tree, estimated to be more than 100 years old, had a diameter at the base of 22 inches with a branch spread of approximately 28 feet. The weight of the tree was estimated to exceed three tons.
The next year, 1959, marked the first time the national tree came from east of the Mississippi and from private land.
The project was a huge undertaking with crews from Maine Public Service on hand to cut the tree and carefully lay it on its side. Special forms had been made to gently hold the tree built by the shop classes at Presque Isle High School, and five different railroads were coordinated to transport the tree to Washington, D.C.
Upon arrival in the capital, the tree was decorated with 5,000 lights and 4,000 ornaments. President Eisenhower kicked off the Pageant of Peace program at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 23, 1959, by lighting the national tree and broadcasting a special message to the world. It is estimated that 500,000 people saw the pageant in person with many millions watching the events on television.
Normally after the holidays the tree was taken down and disposed of. However, in 1959, this tree provided by Presque Isle was given to a church in Bethesda, Maryland, where it was carved into a large cross to decorate the front lawn of the church. After some time, the wood in the tree began to deteriorate. It was then taken down and made into miniature crosses for the parishioners of the church.
Photographs of the 1959 National Christmas Tree from Presque Isle will be on display in the windows of Greenmark IT on Main Street for the month of December.
Kimberly R. Smith is the secretary/treasurer of the Presque Isle Historical Society.
