The Rockefeller Christmas Tree: From Homemade Decorations To A Swarovski Star
By | December 22, 2022
In the late 1920s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. conceived the idea to construct the Rockefeller Center to help revitalize Midtown Manhattan. The site was originally one of Columbia University’s former campuses (they had occupied the site in the early 19th century, and in the early 1900s, moved to Morningside Heights). In 1928, Rockefeller leased the site for 87 years. He eventually entered into a deal with RCA to create a mass-media complex and plans to construct all structures in the Art Deco style were developed. They started excavation in April 1931; construction began in September.
Workers Were Grateful
This was, of course, in the midst of the Great Depression and 64 percent of the building trade workers in New York City were unemployed. This particular project provided employment for an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 people. These workers, grateful for the opportunity to work during the height of the Depression, pooled their money and purchased a 20-foot balsam fir to be the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. They decorated this first tree with streamers, ornaments made from tin cans, and handmade garlands.
The Next Tree Came In 1933
Two years later, in 1933, Rockefeller put up the next tree. The 50-foot tree was taller, and Rockefeller’s tree was not decorated with homemade ornaments. Instead, it was adorned with 700 twinkling lights. He also organized the first official tree lighting ceremony.
Opening the Skating Pond
It took some time for Rockefeller Center to establish itself once it opened; the sunken plaza was a particular challenge. Even though the annual Christmas tree was a draw, not many people were walking down the stairs into the sunken plaza with its year-round shops. The legend is that a skate salesman demonstrated his pitch on frozen water in the Rockefeller Plaza fountain. However, it is more likely that Rockefeller heard of a new method for creating ice, so he gave the green light to the new rink. By the 1936 Christmas season, the lighting ceremony included a skating pageant on the newly opened Rockefeller Outdoor Ice Skating Pond as it was originally called. This year there was an additional attraction as well: there were two trees in the Plaza.
Changing Decorations
During World War II, the tree was decked out in patriotic décor, including painted wooden stars, and red, white, and blue globes, and in 1942, they raised three smaller trees, each sporting one of the three colors. The tree was unlit from 1944 until 1945 because of blackout restrictions. The patriotic colors were once again used in 2001, following the September 11 attacks.
The Start Of Television Broadcasts
Prior to 1951, to witness the tree lighting ceremony, you had to be in New York City. In 1951, the ceremony found a larger audience, as NBC broadcast it for the first time on The Kate Smith Show. Ever since that year, the ceremony has featured celebrities and musicians.
Additional Changes
Other elements have changed over the years. The wire angels in the Channel Gardens in front of the tree were created by Valerie Clarebout and added in 1969. The tree also got some new bling, a new tree-topping star. This star, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018, is made of Swarovski crystal and weighs approximately 900 pounds. The star’s 70 spikes are covered in 3 million crystals.
Reducing The Carbon Footprint And Putting The Tree To Use
To light the tree requires more than 50,000 multi-colored lights strung on about five miles of wire. In keeping with the changing awareness of conservation, in 2007 the tree was lit with energy-efficient LEDs, cutting energy consumption significantly. In fact, the daily reduction in electricity was enough to power a 2,000 square foot home for a month. Starting in 1971, the trees were mulched after the Christmas season. They used the mulch on nature trails in upper Manhattan. Then, starting in 2007, the lumber from the tree was donated and used to help build a Habitat for Humanity home.