Alongside more than 300 ornaments, each one decorated with a scene from a National Park Service site, an ornament hung with a painting of the “deepest, steepest and narrowest canyon in the United States” — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
The White House Christmas theme, Holidays in the National Parks, paid homage to the cultural, recreational and natural elements of the Park Service by featuring on its Christmas tree handmade ornaments decorated by professional and amateur artists.
  
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“We were honored and still are — it was a humbling experience,” he said. “We realized (that our) piece (would be) representing Black Canyon of the Gunnison and that it would be hanging at the White House and then go into the archives after the Christmas season.”
All of Colorado’s National Park Service sites, including Colorado National Monument, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Mesa Verde National Park, were represented at the official Presidential residence.
An Honorary Chairman of the National Park Foundation, First Lady Laura Bush selected the Christmas theme, said Sally McDonough, director of communications for the Office of the First Lady.
“It all stems from, not only (the First Lady’s) personal use and appreciation for the National Parks but also the (National Park Service) Centennial,” said McDonough. “It’s just a way of putting a spotlight (on the parks), not only how important they are but the need for our support of them through the Centennial.”
In a November interview posted on the White House Official web site, Bush said her inspiration was spurred in part by the NPS Centennial Celebration, which will be in 2016, and the President’s Centennial Challenge to Congress and the private sector to increase funding for the parks.
Of the 391 NPS sites nationally, 349 submitted ornaments, said McDonough. All may be viewed at www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/2007
Contact Lisa Huynh via email at lisah@montrosepress.com
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