Easter Traditions: White House Easter Egg Roll

Perhaps the most time-honored tradition for children in Washington D.C. is the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Dolly Madison is usually credited for initiating this Easter Monday event somewhere around 1809-1817. Originally families with young children would roll Easter eggs, colored by the children of the President and staff, across the lawn of the Capitol. As this activity took its toll on the grounds, the tradition stopped in 1876.

There is a cute little tale of how children armed with Easter baskets confronted President Rutherford B. Hayes about the cessation of the event. The President and his wife were charmed by the kids and reinstated the tradition in 1878. Since then, children accompanied by an adult roll eggs on the lush South Lawn of the White House unless poor weather conditions or wartime cause it to be cancelled.

Presidents, First Ladies, and celebrities have attended this event where children hunt for eggs and collect candy in addition to the Easter Egg Roll. As a souvenir, each child receives a wooden egg signed by the President and First Lady.