September 4, 2012

2012 White House Holiday Ornament Sale

The GMU Child Development Center (CDC) is again selling theWhite House Holiday Ornament at George Mason as a fundraiser.
This beautiful keepsake makes a perfect gift for parents, friends and relatives.

The 2012 White House Historical Association Christmas ornament honors William Howard Taft, the twenty-seventh president of the United States. A distinguished jurist and effective administrator, President Taft focused on executing the law rather than setting an ambitious legislative agenda during his term. While serving as secretary of war, Taft became smitten with the White steamer, the department's car of choice. A pre-gasoline steam-powered touring car, it was manufactured by the White Sewing Company of Cleveland, Ohio, Taft's home state. Over the 1908 Christmas holidays, president-elect Taft proudly had a family photograph taken in a loaned White made into a postcard and distributed to the press. The Great Seal of the United States, painted on the door, created confusion that it was a White House automobile. Taft believed in the future of the automobile and wanted a White when he entered the White House. After some wrangling with opponents in Congress over the costs and dangers of motorcars, he obtained a $12,000 budget for their purchase through an emergency deficiency bill. His staff negotiated a favorable price with the White Company for the steamer at $3,000, and two Pierce-Arrow limousines, a "suburban," and a landaulet, at $4,900. Taft did add the Great Seal to all of his cars allowing the fledgling automobile manufacturer the publicity of a prestigious inclusion in the first White House limousine fleet. The small remaining budget was used to convert the White House stables to a garage and pay the chauffeurs.                        

 

 

 

Johnson Center Kiosk Sales Dates:

 

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 11:00 – 1:00 Kiosk F

Tuesday, Nov, 13 11:00 – 1:00 Kiosk F

Monday, Nov. 19, 11:00 – 1:00 Kiosk F

Thursday, Nov. 29, 11:00 – 1:00 Kiosk F

Monday, Dec. 3, 11:00 – 1:00 Kiosk F

 

 

Order Early! Orders will be accepted beginning, Monday September 10. To place your order via email send to: Anchalee Burbach, aburbach@gmu.edu, send your contact information and a check to: Anchalee Burbach at MSN 5C2 or to purchase in person drop by the CDC Building (by the water tower) with cash or credit card. Please make checks payable to GMU.                     

For information on the White House Holiday Ornament sale, contact:Anchalee Burbach, 703-993-4786, aburbach@gmu.edu.