Canada's First Christmas Tree

General Baron Von Riedesel, commander of the Hessian and Brunswick troops stationed in Canada during the American Revolution, provided the first Christmas tree in Canada at Sorel, Quebec.

 The General, his wife and their four daughters had been held prisoners for four years by the Americans.  After this ordeal they came to Sorel, built a new house called the "Govenor's House", also named, "The Christmas House". 

They moved into their new house a few days before Christmas and celebrated their freedom, in their German tradition, by decorating a Christmas tree.