All Creatures Great and Small: Holiday Exhibition at Bush Presidential Library

In 2002, Mrs. Laura Bush selected All Creatures Great and Small as the theme to celebrate the joy and comfort pets have brought presidents and their families during their time in the White House.

Bush Presidential Library and Museum archivists and curators are re-creating the 2002 White House holiday displays. These are now exhibited at the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas, Texas, until January 13th, 2015.

As part of “All Creatures Great and Small” theme 2002, White House staffers painstakingly built and painted 25 papier-maché of sculptures of pets of America’s Presidents. These animals decorated mantles and tables throughout the White House. The animals included raccoons that were walked on leashes, sheep that grazed the White House lawn, and even alligator that was kept in the White House bathtub!

Nelson, President George Washington’s war charger.

Laddie Boy, an airedale terrier that belonged to President Warren G. Harding & Mrs. Florence Harding. He brought Mr. President his morning newspaper, had his own chair to sit in during cabinet meetings. The first Presidential Pet that was covered regularly by news reporters on Washington Star and the New York Times.
“Whether the Creator planned it so, or the environment and human companionship have made it so, men may learn richly through the love and fidelity of a brave and devoted dog.” – President Warren G. Harding. Other President Harding White House pets: English bulldog, Old Boy; squirrel, Pete, and canaries. (1921-1923) ~~

The stately 18-feet 2002 White House Christmas tree, re-created for Museum visitors, features native bird ornaments that were handcrafted by artists and artisans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.