History Happy Hour: The Roosevelts and Christmas - From the Hudson Valley to the White House

Join us and travel back to the 1930s and 1940s as we celebrate Christmas with the Roosevelts. Franklin D. Roosevelt loved Christmas, and his papers and records at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum document all aspects of his enthusiasm for the holiday season. Join William A. Harris, director of the FDR Library, and Amy Bracewell, superintendent of the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, for a visit to the President's home, Springwood, the Presidential Library, and of course the White House where the President and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt enjoyed many busy holidays filled with family and Thanksgiving. From his first Christmas at the White House in the depths of the Depression, to that bittersweet December 1941 holiday after Pearl Harbor (with Winston Churchill as a guest), to his final Christmas in Hyde Park at the Library and his home, the President reveled in creating lists, tracking his gifts, hosting parties, welcoming family and friends, and reading "A Christmas Carol" each and every year. And just to add to this festive season, he also operated a Christmas tree farm and sold his inventory to department stores in New York City! The Roosevelts offer their hospitality once more for Christmas celebrations Roosevelt-style. Join in on the fun with our History Happy Hour on Thursday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. ET!

History Happy Hour is a biweekly virtual program hosted by the White House Historical Association. Join us as experts weigh in on a variety of historical topics, share their insights, answer audience questions, and enjoy presidential-inspired libations.

Did you know members of the Association have access to all previous History Happy Hour episodes? Become a member here.