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L Verge · 12-06-2015, 08:03 PM

Our friend Eva has lamented not being able to see the White House on tour. I hope this link opens for all of you. http://www.today.com/home/white-house-de...our-t59591

The first room shown is the State Dining Room. In 1865, I believe it was the East Room where Lincoln's body was lying in state. I'm assuming the theme in here has to do with nutcrackers, those wonderful inventions of German craftsmen. We were recently considering themes for next year's displays at Surratt House during the season, and I was amazed (and upset) to find that nutcrackers did not become popular in the U.S. until the 1950s, when people began to admire the ones returning with our WWII soldiers. It was around that time also that the wonderful Nutcracker Suite of the century before came across the pond.

This variety of displays does not cover all of the decorated rooms (at least I don't think it does), but the decorations seem much more modern - and less nostalgic - than in previous years. Maybe it's just me getting old...