For the third time, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will come from the Monongahela National Forest. Volunteers and organizations in the AFNHA region have supplied ornaments that will adorn the tree, and community members will have the opportunity to see the tree as it travels through our area on its way to Washington D.C..
Each year the US Forest Service provides a tree from one of its National Forests to be displayed on the West Lawn of the Capitol. In July Jim Kaufmann, Director of the Capitol Grounds for the Architect of the Capitol, selected a 63 foot tall Norway Spruce from the Greenbrier Ranger District. The tree was named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe, which means “bright tree” in the Shawnee language. The Mon Forest previously provided a Norway spruce in 1970 and a red spruce in 1976.
The Capitol Tree will be decorated with thousands of ornaments made by West Virginians. AFNHA AmeriCorps member Meadow Arbogast and Forest Service Staff held ornament decorating events across the state for participants of all ages. AFNHA staff and AmeriCorps members painted their own ornaments to contribute. People will also have the opportunity to sign the banners that accompany the tree at one of several events as it travels to D.C. from November 4-17.
Capitol Christmas Tree events in our area:
Saturday, Nov. 4, 6:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. Elkins Depot Welcome Center (315 Railroad Ave, Elkins, WV 26241)
Sunday, Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Summersville Arena and Conference Center (3 Armory Way, Summersville, WV 26651)
Monday, Nov. 6, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mitchell Chevrolet (400 8th St, Marlinton, WV 24954)
Sunday, Nov. 12, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Swilled Dog/Raymond’s Gymnastic Center (28 Industrial Park Road, Upper Tract, WV 26866)
Monday, Nov. 13, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. DavisYard (533 William Avenue, Davis, WV 26260)
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (301 E Main St, Romney, WV 26757)
View the full list of events at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar or www.capitoltreetracker.com.
