The Wisconsin State Capitol Holiday Tree has been a winter tradition for the state since the early 20th century.
Each December, Wisconsinites gather in the Capitol rotunda to crane their necks in awe at the towering evergreen placed squarely in the middle of the building. But it’s more than just the tree that draws attention, it’s also the ornaments that hang from its branches.
Since 1990, students and families from every corner of Wisconsin have sent in handmade ornaments to fill up the tree, according to WHYsconsin. This year’s ornament theme was “175 Years of Wisconsinites,” in celebration of Wisconsin’s 175th year of statehood. Gov. Tony Evers encouraged school kids to create ornaments that represent what Wisconsin and its people mean to them. Past themes have included "Honoring Wisconsin’s Veterans" and "America’s Dairyland."
This year’s tree is a 32-foot tall Balsam fir named Mr. Frank. The story goes, according to the Wisconsin State Farmer, Mr. Frank was planted 17 years ago in the front yard of a Rhinelander home to honor the late dairy farmer and public servant Frank Magnus.
Every year, Capitol grounds staff build a plywood tunnel to get the tree in the capitol building. At 16-feet wide, Mr. Frank teetered on being too big to fit through the Capitol doors. Getting Mr. Frank into the Capitol took a team of roughly 30 people and a lot of creative engineering. Turns out moving a 1,500-pound tree is not for the weak hearted.
You can see Mr. Frank and all his glory at this year’s tree lighting ceremony, which will take place Dec. 1 at noon.
