
Back to Events
Discover the charm of feather trees, the first artificial Christmas trees, originally crafted in 19th-century Germany in response to deforestation. Made from dyed goose feathers to resemble the white pines of Europe, these handmade trees became a cherished holiday tradition—one you can now recreate!
Join us on November 29 for a festive Feather Tree Workshop. Begin with a guided tour of the first floor of the beautifully decorated Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, where you’ll step back into a Victorian Christmas. Learn how President Harrison—the first U.S. president to have a decorated Christmas tree in the White House—embraced the holiday spirit, even dressing as Santa for his children.
Then, head to the Bob Annis Presidential Classroom for a hands-on workshop, where you’ll craft your very own heirloom-quality feather tree while learning more about the Victorian Christmas traditions.
Two Sessions Available (20 spots each):
Morning Session: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Afternoon Session: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Cost: $50 (all materials included)
Recommended for Ages: 12+ (No prior crafting experience necessary)
“Let those who would die for the flag on the field of battle give a better proof of their patriotism and a higher glory to their country by promoting fraternity and justice.” Benjamin Harrison
Share the life stories, arts and culture of your 23rd President
Renew your membership with us.
Support a legacy.
We are experiencing outages with our payment processor at this time. Please be patient as we work to resolve this issue.
Thank you for being an important part of the Presidential Site and sharing a legacy in action!