Highlights Archives
2007 State Capitol Ornament Available Now
The fourth annual commemorative ornament depicting Wisconsin's magnificent Capitol is available now at the Wisconsin Historical Museum. The inspiration for the 2007 ornament is the beautiful holiday tree that graces the Capitol rotunda each December. The Wisconsin Historical Museum has been distributing the ornaments from its origin in 2004. Since that time the museum has sold more than 2,000 of these mementos. Ornaments can be purchased online, by calling 888-999-1669, or in person at the museum store. All proceeds from the sale of the state Capitol ornaments are donated to the Wisconsin State Capitol Restoration Fund.
The tradition of placing the large decorated tree in the Capitol rotunda began in 1916. Over the years, the state has received trees from national, state, and county forests as well as from private tree growers and tribal lands. There are two requirements for the tree. First, it must be a Balsam fir. The pliable branches of the Balsam fir bend enough to allow the tree to be carried through the 51-inch doorways of the Capitol without breaking. Second, the tree cannot exceed a 45-foot circumference as it is hoisted into vertical position in the rotunda. From there the tree is prepared with 2,400 LED lights and more than 2,000 handmade ornaments, just in time for the official lighting ceremony, which takes place the second Friday after Thanksgiving day.
A great time to get your limited-edition ornament and view the holiday tree in the Capitol is during the Wisconsin Historical Museum's annual holiday sale December 13-16, 2007. The purchase of specially marked sale merchandise will earn the buyer a gift certificate of equal value that can be applied to non-sale items. The museum will also host a special display of doll houses that weekend, made possible by members of the Madison Area Doll Club.
:: Posted November 21, 2007
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