News Details (Posted: October 15, 2007):

Season's Greetings From the White House

Full Description:

SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

THE 2007 FESTIVAL OF TREES AT THE ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART PROUDLY INTRODUCES MARY EVANS SEELEY, AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK “SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE”, AS THE FESTIVAL’S GUEST SPEAKER

-Lecture to be held on Monday, November 12, 2007 at 11 a.m.-
Sponsored by: the Private Client Group at National City

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art proudly introduces Mary Evans Seeley, Author of the Best Selling book “Season's Greetings from the White House” as the Festival’s Guest Speaker on Monday, November 12 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Orlando Museum of Art.

Mary Evans Seeley, a Tampa resident for 37 years, is a collector, historian, lecturer, author and publisher of two books about Christmas at the White House. She and her husband, Ronald, have the most extensive collection of Presidential Christmas memorabilia in the country. Parts of The Seeley Collection have been on display at the White House on two occasions and have been on exhibit at ten Presidential Libraries (Nixon, Reagan, Eisenhower, Bush, Truman, Hoover, FDR, Carter, Johnson and Lincoln.

What started in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lighted the National Christmas Tree in a ceremony first broadcast nationwide by radio, has developed into a national celebration of the holiday spirit in which each succeeding President has participated in a growing pageant of peace. During the same period, Presidents have transformed the personal act of sending private holiday greetings and gifts into a growing - and official - ceremony of state.

Now, people who cannot go to Washington to witness a White House Christmas can vicariously enjoy this and other Christmases past by visiting the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art . The "Season's Greetings from the White House" exhibition brings together rare Presidential Christmas messages, greetings, cards and gifts to show how the holidays are celebrated at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The collection of White House Christmas cards spans from President Calvin Coolidge to President George W. Bush. The rarest artifact of the collection is a Christmas card that was never sent out. It’s the 1963 Christmas card signed by John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy shortly before leaving on their fateful trip to Dallas.

Several years ago, Seeley decided to share her knowledge, her passionate White House research, her personal interviews with five First Ladies and children of First Families and the result is the fascinating book on White House history, "Season's Greetings from the White House." It is a book for historians, Americana fans, Christmas collectors, art lovers and a must for all collectors of White House Christmas memorabilia.

Visit the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art on Monday, November 12, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., to listen to Seeley speak about her love affair with history, her devotion to preserving the positive heritage of our country and her passion for all things White House and Christmas. She will be available for book signing after the presentation. Cost of admission to the Lecture is $25.00 which also includes admission to the Festival of Trees on the Event day.

The Seeley Collection of Presidential Christmas Memorabilia will be on display during the Festival of Trees from Saturday, November 10, 2007 through Sunday, November 18, 2007. Her books “Season's Greetings From the White House” and “Grandmother Remembers Christmas at the White House”, an enjoyable American history for young readers that relates to how First Families have celebrated Christmas dating back to 1923, as well as her line of Christmas ornaments will be available for sale during the Festival of Trees.

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For more information:
visit: http://www.councilof101.net or call the Event Hotline: 407-672-3838 or email councilof101@aol.com

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Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Orlando Museum of Art is supported by earned income, the Council of 101, donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, and sponsored in part by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign, State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.