Christmas ornament from Rhode Island hangs in White House for 43rd year

LINCOLN, R.I. (WLNE) — A tradition continues for its 43rd year as a custom ornament from Rhode Island hangs on the White House Christmas Tree.

President of Beacon Design David Marquis said the whole process begins in Lincoln.

“I don’t think we can express the pride that we feel, the pride and privilege that we feel,” he said.

Beacon Design partners with the White House Historical Association, which was started by Jackie Kennedy with the idea to revamp the inside of the White House while educating the public about the presidents who have lived there.

“One of the things that was very important to Mrs. Kennedy was to get people to understand and realize about the history of the home,” Marquis said.

In 1981, Nancy Reagan designed the first Christmas ornament as a tribute to George Washington.

“They decided that they were going to do a program each year, and they were going to do concurrent presidents,” Marquis said.

Each ornament contains unique elements for each former president, as Marquis describes in the current ornament, a tribute to Jimmy Carter.

“The anchor is for his service in the Navy, but it also represents hope,” he said.

Other elements of the ornament include a submarine and, of course, the White House.

“The nice part about this, is this is a nonprofit, not a political organization,” Marquis said.

A version of the current ornament can be purchased here.