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Rockefeller tree celebrates 75th

By Pete Catapano | amNewYork managing editor

November 26, 2007

The 74th annual Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony takes place November 29, 2006 in New York City. ((Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images))

It started with an impromptu display of holiday spirit.

Depression-era workers demolishing the brownstones and buildings that stood in the way of what would become the British Empire Building, part of the future Rockefeller Center, erected a 20-foot Christmas tree in 1931 to break the monotony of their hard labor.

Little did they know that they gave birth to one of the world's most famous Christmas traditions, first officially celebrated in 1933, some two years later.

This week, the city marks the 75th anniversary of that lighting, a celebration that has evolved along with New York City.

While a trip to the tree now offers a similar experience each year, the midtown winter wonderland in its heyday was like a new present every holiday season.

"During the war years, there were three trees red, white blue trees," said Rockefeller Center archivist Christine Roussel.

"And in 1936, there were two 70-foot Norway Spruces from Morristown, New Jersey. At the time they were the largest Christmas trees ever erected in New York. That year they had a Santa workshop and they wrapped 3,000 presents for kids."

In 1957, at the height of sleek mid-century modernism, the center went with a white tree, said Roussel, who did research for the new book, "The Tree At Rockefeller: A Tradition."

"Modernism hit with a vengeance," she said.

This year's 84-foot Norway Spruce won't be lit until Wednesday night. It came from a Connecticut home and was found by Rockefeller Center gardens manager David Murbach. In fact, he's turned up the past 24 trees, and is already hunting for the next.

Murbach said the overall display at Rockefeller Center has slowly changed over time.

"It's gradually evolved," he said. "I also do the general garden displays which are leading up to the tree and we've had various plantings. The angels have been there for a long time, too. They're a tradition."

The angels, sculpted by Valerie Clarebout, first appeared in 1954, and they've been part of the display ever since. But there were other displays throughout the '50s. In 1956, striking, red and white candy canes gave the plaza a Santa's North Pole feel. In 1958, giant animals in a forest scene debuted -- including fawns, rabbits, and foxes, also sculpted by Clarebout.

Those presentations would include many choruses and skaters, often the best of the world.

So where are those candy canes and animals now? That's anyone's guess.

Radio City Music Hall said they couldn't store the items anymore and they were simply given away.

"Fortunately they didn't give away the angels because they've used them consistently," Roussel said.

Q&A with David Murbach, the gardens manager at Rockefeller Center

How'd you become the finder of the most famous tree in the world?

Well I'm the gardens manager for Rockefeller Center, and not only do I take care of the gardens and design the gardens, but then I have the additional duty of finding a tree.