Easter Holidays

The White House Egg Roll began in 1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes. In the 1980s, under the general direction of the First Lady’s office, the Social Affairs office planned and coordinated White House social events and functions, including the annual Easter egg roll. Nancy Reagan began the tradition of creating wooden eggs as official souvenirs, as well as having costumes characters in addition to the Easter Bunny. Plain wooden eggs were also sent each year to artists around the country, well-known and amateur alike, to be painted. The eggs were then displayed at the White House during the festivities. A selection of these eggs was later given to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The Library also contains easter themed gifts to the Reagans.