Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam will open the Tennessee Residence on Friday, December 4 for the 5th annual Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays. The free open house event invites Tennesseans to tour the executive residence decorated for the holidays December 4 – 17, with self-guided tours offered Monday – Saturday. Guests may reserve a time to visit on the First Lady’s website.
“Crissy and I look forward to the open house each December,” Governor Haslam said. “It is a terrific outing for families to celebrate the Christmas season at a place that is significant for all Tennesseans. The home is even more spectacular decorated for the holidays.”
This year, the decoration theme is “Tennessee Craft,” highlighting the work of outstanding Tennessee artisans. In partnership with Tennessee Arts Commission and Tennessee Craft, the Office of the First Lady worked with artists across the state in loaning their work to the two-week open house.
Original art in varieties of media including clay, fiber, glass, wood, and metal will decorate the trees and mantels in the Tennessee Residence. In Conservation Hall, the trees will be decorated with ornaments crafter by students who participated in art camps across the state this past summer.
“Tennessee has a rich craft history that has been passed down from one generation to the next. There are talented artisans across the state creating one-of-kind treasures,” First Lady Haslam said. “Handmade traditions can be lost if they are not appreciated. This year’s open house celebrates Tennessee craft as an important part of our state heritage.”
First Lady Haslam visited artists, studios, art centers, and galleries around the state this summer to learn more about craft traditions in Tennessee. She is also serving as honorary chair for Tennessee Craft’s 50th Anniversary in 2015, celebrating 50 years of preserving and advancing Tennessee craft.
Corporate sponsors SunTrust Bank and Tennessee Valley Authority are helping to provide the open house event at no cost to the public.
For more information about Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays, please visit First Lady’s website.
