Andrew Johnson Presidential
Ornament & Table Sculpture
Featured on "Live at Five's Christmas in the City" news segment of WBIR-TV Channel 10, Knoxville by LaSaundra Brown. To watch the video, go here.
A reproduction of the type of carriage used by Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States of America, is featured in this unique ornament and table sculpture. Originally created as the 2001 White House Christmas ornament, it is a delightful year-round symbol of Andrew Johnson's bicentennial this year.
After long days in the White House, Andrew Johnson often took his family on carriage rides to spend time with them. The ornament depicts Johnson’s carriage returning to the White House at Christmas in 1867. Beautifully crafted, the 2001 Andrew Johnson Carriage Ornament and Table Sculpture has a 24kt. gold finish and eight rich colors.
$25
The full story...
Regional Art Center Features Andrew Johnson Ornament
Historic Greeneville, TN – As the home of the 17th President, Greeneville stands out among Northeast Tennessee’s small towns. With the approach of 2008 and the bicentennial of Andrew Johnson’s birth, the successor to Abraham Lincoln is enjoying a rebirth of interest in the town that launched his political career. The proximity of Johnson’s birthday, December 29th, and Christmas makes for an irresistible combination. To celebrate both occasions, Greeneville’s regional art center is reviving the perfect collectible with an exclusive offering. James-Ben: Studio and Gallery will feature for this holiday season and throughout the coming year the 2001 White House Christmas Ornament, representing the 17th President and his family enjoying a carriage ride. Eight vivid colors and a 24kt gold finish enhance this high-quality ornament, available to shoppers for $25 each. James-Ben: Studio and Gallery Art Center is located at stoplight #3 on the corner of North Main and Church streets in Greeneville’s downtown historic district. Holiday hours, beginning the day after Thanksgiving, are 9 AM to 5 PM seven days a week.
“We were delighted to discover that the 2001 official White House Christmas Ornament not only featured our hometown President, but depicted him out for a carriage ride with his family,” says gallery director James-Ben Stockton. “In researching this remarkable man, we found that the carriage had special significance to his presidency.” The Johnson carriage symbolizes the “Old Commoner’s” dual habits of fierce independence and scrupulous honesty. Not only did the 17th President decline to purchase the Lincoln carriage in favor of paying to have his own made, he refused the gift of more elaborate conveyances in keeping with his habit of avoiding even the appearance of a bribe.
“But there is an even more personal story associated with Andrew Johnson and his carriage,” says gallery partner Daniel Luther. “Most people are unaware of how ill Johnson was in the first months of his term. He arrived in Washington to assume the vice-presidency while suffering from typhoid and "the gravels" (kidney stones). Then the Lincoln assassination thrust him onto center stage before he’d had a chance to recover. His illness continued until nearly July of 1865, when he was finally joined in the White House by his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. It was said that his recovery was especially swift after their arrival. After having stayed behind the scenes from mid-April to late June, Johnson became known for the pleasure he took from afternoon carriage rides with his grandchildren.”
William Crook, a White House guard through five administrations, wrote that one of his favorite memories was of the Johnsons returning from afternoon picnics and carriage rides. In the midst of a presidency marred by discord and impeachment, the lively support of a loving family made the experience bearable for the 17th president. The 2001 White House Christmas Ornament depicts the Johnsons returning home after a Christmas outing in 1867. The bright, high-finish colors on 24k gold convey a much cheerier and livelier image than is usually associated with the stern-faced Johnson. “Then as now, it is important to find moments of happiness in the midst of difficult times,” says gallery director Stockton. “This certainly is our hope in offering the Andrew Johnson ornament for this holiday season and into the coming year.”
The 2001 White House Christmas Ornament featuring the Andrew Johnson family and carriage is available exclusively at James-Ben: Studio and Gallery Art Center beginning November 24th, the day after Thanksgiving. Supplies will be limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended. For further information, contact James-Ben Stockton at (423) 787-0195 or by e-mail at stocktonluther@embarqmail.com.