Holiday Open House Tours to Begin at Tennessee Residence

Governor and First Lady Haslam begin “Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays” tradition

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam will begin a new holiday tradition Monday, December 5 when they host “Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays,” a free open house event at the executive residence during the first two weeks in December.

Tennesseans from across the state are invited to take self-guided tours and enjoy the holiday decorations at the Tennessee Residence and Conservation Hall December 5-9 and December 12-16. Those interested should register online at the First Lady’s website: www.tn.gov/firstlady.

“Bill and I feel so blessed to live in the Tennessee Residence, and we are excited to invite visitors to enjoy the holiday decorations,” Mrs. Haslam said. “We are honored to be able to welcome guests with warm Tennessee hospitality.”

In support of the Tennessee agriculture industry, the Christmas trees featured in the Tennessee Residence were donated by the Tennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association and Pick Tennessee Products. On the tour handouts, a “quick response,” or QR code, will allow many smartphone users to scan the code and find out where they can buy these Tennessee grown trees. Turkish Fir, Nordmann Fir and Frasier Fir trees were provided by Wintergreen Farm in Laurel Bloomery, and Canaan Fir and Blue Spruce trees were provided by Roan Valley Farm in Johnson City.

Holiday decorations in the Tennessee Residence were provided by Jim Marvin and Larry Keeton. Marvin, an internationally known designer and decorator from Dickson, has decorated the White House for the holidays since 1997. In addition to participating in decorating the Tennessee Residence for many years, Keeton is also the annual holiday decorator of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort in Nashville. Mark O’Bryan of the Tulip Tree also donated centerpieces and holiday flowers.

Sixteen trees in Conservation Hall were each decorated according to a theme with ornaments provided by elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities throughout Tennessee. 

The READ 20 trees, in honor of the First Lady’s initiative to promote grade-level reading by the third grade, are decorated with ornaments inspired by elementary students’ favorite books. I.T. Creswell Magnet Middle School in Nashville dedicated ornaments for the “patriotic tree” in honor of the brave Tennesseans who serve in the military. High School students from Nashville School of the Arts in Davidson County created ornaments for the “Tennessee Landscape and Symbols” tree, and colleges and universities throughout the state were invited to decorate a tree with ornaments that represent each school.

For more information about “Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays,” please visit www.tn.gov/firstlady/holidays.shtml.