An Omaha holiday tradition continued Monday morning as Union Pacific Railroad employees cut down and delivered Omaha’s “official” Christmas tree to The Durham Museum. The museum received 58 submissions for tree donations this year for Christmas at Union Station.
This year’s tree is a 40 foot-tall blue spruce donated by Dan and Carmelita Graeve, who live near 70th and Izard.
The annual tradition dates back to the 1930s, when Union Pacific employees would cut Omaha’s Christmas tree from along the railroad right-of-way in the Pacific Northwest and transport the tree to Union Station.
This holiday custom returned when Union Station became a museum in the 1970s. This year, Christmas at Union Station has been designated an official event of the Nebraska 150 Celebration. The tree will feature Goldenrod flowers and a custom “150” star atop the tree.
"It will be decorated beginning today and be ready for the tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving," says Durham spokesperson Jessica Brummer.
Dan Graeve tells Newsradio 1110 KFAB donating the tree was a bittersweet decision. He says the tree was planted years ago by his parents, but had begun to outgrow the space and was creeping into the driveway.
"I hate to see it go, it's a piece of mom and dad. I know they are looking down and they'll be glad it will be decorated so pretty and that so many people will enjoy it."