The Christmas spirit has reached the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.
Trees have been decorated and lit inside the historical home, and Tennesseans now have the opportunity to tour the place.
This year’s theme is “Songs of the Season.” Visitors can hear different music as they walk around and appreciate the 21 trees of all sizes.
They feature hundreds of ornaments and even more lights. First Lady Maria Lee, who has been in charge of this year’s project, says this has presented a particular challenge.
“Power outages!” Lee says with a laugh. “And the more lights you add, more fuses will blow.”
The tree comes from the Lee family farm. The first lady and the governor cut it down themselves.
Looks great! Little full, lotta sap. #BTS pic.twitter.com/4a3nfgzczB
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) December 1, 2019
Having a Christmas tree up this early in the season is unusual for Lee.
“One of my traditions growing up when we were real young, my parents wouldn’t even put the tree up until Christmas Eve,” Lee says. “And then we’d wake up — my four siblings and I would wake up in the morning and it all just be transformed into lights and packages and decorations.”
Lee’s childhood tree was decorated with threads of popcorn and cranberries, as well as ornaments. She’s carried that tradition over to the governor’s mansion.
“It is nostalgic and it’s like, ‘Oh yeah I remember that,'” Lee says. “Because through the years things change, but when I was little, some of those things where definitely on our tree.”
The Tennessee Executive Residence is open to the public by appointment. To see the decorations and schedule a tour, click here.
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