Christmas

On center stage, President Harry S. Truman delivers a speech to a large crowd on the South Grounds of the White House. The recently lit Christmas Tree is on the right, and the White House is in the background on the left. All others are unidentified. From the Scrapbooks of Matt Connelly, Volume 2.

White House workmen brush aside snow as they put the finishing touches on a stand on the south grounds of the White House where President Harry S. Truman will participate in a public tree lighting ceremony on Christmas Eve. All are unidentified.

White House workmen brush aside snow as they put the finishing touches on a stand in front of the White House where President Harry S. Truman will participate in a public tree lighting ceremony on Christmas Eve. All are unidentified.

Snow covers the home of President Harry S. Truman in Independence, Missouri, at Christmas. When the President and his family spend Christmas in Independence, they always have in a window facing the street a Christmas tree, sparkling with colored lights and decorations. Neighbors and members of church choirs often gather to sing carols to the nation's "first family" on Christmas night. This 18 room house was built by Mrs. Truman's grandfather in 1865 and has been occupied by the family since that time.

Merry Christmas is the greeting from President Harry S. Truman as he sets forth from his home in Independence, Missouri, to deliver Christmas gifts to members of his family who live nearby. Whether they are in Washington or Independence, Missouri, the President and his family celebrate Christmas by putting gifts under the Christmas tree and by singing Christmas carols around the piano. Independence is often blanketed by snow at Christmas. Similar to 59-1558 and 69-635.

Photo of Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett (right, in tuxedo) and General Henry H. Arnold standing in front of a fireplace decorated for Christmas.

Photo of three unidentified boys with the second one holding a baby. Handwritten on the photo are these words, "Merry Christmas from the Colmans."

Interior view of a group of unidentified children seated and attending a Christmas party held for them and their families. Although not identified, the party appears to have been given by Ambassador and Mrs. James C. Dunn while Mr. Dunn was U.S. Ambassador to Italy (1946-1952). The location probably is Rome, Italy and held during the early 1950s.

View of a Santa Claus handing out gifts, with the help of Ambassador James C. Dunn standing just behind him, to a group of unidentified children and families attending a Christmas party. Although not identified, the party appears to have been given by Ambassador and Mrs. James C. Dunn while Mr. Dunn was U.S. Ambassador to Italy (1946-1952). The location probably is Rome, Italy and held during the early 1950s.

View of a Santa Claus near a Christmas tree handing out gifts, with the help of Ambassador James C. Dunn on the right, to a group of unidentified children attending a Christmas party. Although not identified, the party appears to have been given by Ambassador and Mrs. James C. Dunn while Mr. Dunn was U.S. Ambassador to Italy (1946-1952). The location probably is Rome, Italy and held during the early 1950s.