White House Honors Avoca

For their first Christmas at the White House, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush commissioned each state to provide three ornaments to be hung on the 2001 White House Christmas Tree.

Governor Bill Owen's office contacted local artisans and requested them to create an ornament inspired by a state historic site. All ornaments were to be solid white in design and each had to be a specific size and weight for hanging on the Christmas Tree.

Local artist Sara Barksdale, an art teacher at St. Mary's Academy in Denver created an ornament inspired by the Molly Brown Summer House. Ms. Barksdale was one of the lucky artists who traveled to the White House to deliver her winning ornament.