Joan Macri, a former American History teacher at Lewiston High School, had the opportunity to decorate one of the world’s most prestigious buildings this holiday season. On Thursday, January 28 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Auburn Public Library, she’ll describe that experience in a presentation called “Decorating the White House: An Insider’s View.”

Macri was one of 88 volunteers who spent three days in December decorating the White House. In her presentation, she will share how she was chosen and describe some of the decorations used to celebrate the holiday season at the White House, where the theme this year was “A Timeless Tradition.”

Decorations used throughout the White House inspire visitors to celebrate long-held traditions while also creating new memories. The 2015 White House decorations also paid tribute to the Armed Forces and their families. Each of the 56 states and territories that make up the United States was represented with a snowflake dangling from the ceiling in the East Colonnade.

Also on display in the East Room, representing a long-standing holiday tradition, was the White House crèche. This nativity scene, fashioned in Naples, Italy, in the eighteenth century of terra cotta and intricately carved wood, was donated to the White House in the 1960s and has been displayed in the East Room for the holidays for more than 45 years, spanning nine administrations.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 333-6640, ext. 4 or see www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.