White House Ornaments

Ornaments by Three West Texas Women That Hung at the White House are on display now through December 22, 2017. Although the original needle-worked ornaments that were made by three West Texas women in the 1990s remain at the White House, the Museum is pleased to showcase the reproductions of these beautiful ornaments made by their original maker.

Pat Grappe of Levelland and Stephani Windham and Linda Fisher, both of Lubbock, answered the call when the White House put out a request for needle-worked ornaments for the White House during the Clinton Administration.

In 1995, First Lady Hillary Clinton invited 100 women from across the nation—two from each state—to stitch a Christmas ornament that would be hung on the Christmas tree in the blue room of the White House that Christmas. The theme for the ornaments was "Christmas Stockings." Both of Texas' representatives, Linda Fisher (Mrs. Charles) and Stephani Windham (Mrs. William), were Lubbock residents.

Another year Ms. Pat Grappe was also invited to stitch an ornament for the tree in the blue room during the Clinton Administration. The theme for the ornaments that year was "Things found in Santa's Workshop," and so her ornament depicts a Raggedy Ann doll.

In gratitude for their hand made creations, all three women were invited to see their creations at the White House. "As is customary, the original ornaments are still at the White House, and the Museum is very honored that all three West Texas women who made the original ornaments were willing to reproduce these treasures for the Museum's collection and our visitors' enjoyment," said Curator of Clothing and Textiles Dr. Marian Ann J. Montgomery.