Hinkle Memorial Library to Exhibit White House Christmas card collection

A collection of White House Christmas cards will be exhibited at the Hinkle Memorial Library Gallery on the Alfred State campus, Dec. 10-17. An opening reception for the public will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Allegany County Area Foundation which has secured the collection for the exhibit.

This privately-owned traveling collection includes more than 30 original White House Christmas cards, including ones from each administration from Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama. Additionally, the collection includes special gifts given to the White House staffers by former presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Clinton; cards chosen by subsequent first families; gift prints given to the White House Staffers; panels on the traditions surrounding Christmas at the White House, as well as those practiced by the American Public from the Civil War through modern times; and additional works sent by artists who have designed cards, namely Kay Jackson, Ray Ellis, James Steinmeyer, and Thomas McKnight.

The collection will be available for viewing during regular Library hours Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 11 p.m. Visitor parking is available.