The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family Christmas Pyramid Debuts at Holiday at the Arboretum
23-foot-tall Pyramid is gift to the garden and city
Marilyn Herkimer Weber has vivid memories of trips to the Dallas Arboretum with her parents, Dorothy and Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer, who were instrumental in helping the garden expand. “My family has had a long history with the Dallas Arboretum as my mom was one of the original Women’s Council members, and my dad was the first Gatsby at a fundraiser for the garden.”
Marilyn and her husband, Ben, have continued the family tradition by taking their own children to the garden. Marilyn said, “My children’s first photos were taken with pumpkins at Autumn at the Arboretum.”
When the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden opened in 2013, the Webers supported the overlook in honor of Marilyn’s parents, who have since passed away.
To continue honoring her parents, Marilyn and her family have given the Dallas Arboretum an early Christmas gift—a 23-foottall German-crafted Christmas Pyramid decorated with hand-carved elements, lighting and character movement on every level.
The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family Christmas Pyramid is the perfect complement to the Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Christmas Village, which debuted in 2019. The Christmas Pyramid is the signature element in Pyramid Square along with new attractions including an Edelweiss Haus serving food and drinks, a Chocolate Shop and a Toy Shop. Inspired by European
Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarket, The Christmas Village is comprised of 14 charming shops and façades representing a quaint European hamlet complete with Santa’s House.
Weber added, “Our family wanted to continue supporting this jewel in our city, and we hope that the Christmas Pyramid will be a draw to many for years to come.”
Known for their beautiful handiwork and woodwork, German artisans from Erzgebirge region (Ore mountains) created the octagon-shaped Christmas Pyramid. Carving each figure by hand, 15 workers spent 2,150 hours to design and build this handmade, one-of-a-kind pyramid. Each of the four levels spins and is illuminated by four candles.
The levels include:
1st level (bottom): A nativity of the Holy Family includes Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Three Wise Men, a donkey and a camel.
2nd level: Six unique and special flower children. Each child holds a beautiful flower symbolizing ties to the Dallas Arboretum.
3rd level: Four shop keepers that would tend the shops in Christmas Village are on this level. Resembling nutcrackers, these include an apothecary (pharmacist), a cobbler, a clock maker and a book maker.
4th level: On the top level are four sweet angels playing their trumpets.
At the very top is a spinning propeller. Mary Brinegar, Dallas Arboretum president and CEO, said, “We are so appreciative to the Webers for their generosity in sharing this wonderful gift with other families and individuals who visit the garden during the holidays. We hope many will make Holiday at the Arboretum, presented by Reliant, a part of their holiday traditions.”
The Christmas Village, featuring the new Christmas Pyramid, opens November 27 and runs through December 31. Timed tickets are required and can be purchased online at www.dallasarboretum.org or by calling 214-515-6615. No walk-ups are available for purchase.
Christmas Pyramid Fun Facts:
2,150: Number of hours it took to build
23: The height of the pyramid – 23 feet tall
22: Total number of hand-carved figurines on each level
19-35: Height in inches of the figures
16: Electric candles that light up at night
15: Number of German workers it took to build the Christmas Pyramid
8: Number of sides to the pyramid, which is octagon shaped
6: Number of months it took the German team to build the pyramid
4: Levels that are colorful and spin
1: The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family, the donor who made this pyramid possible
The 12 Days of Christmas:
Friends of the Dallas Arboretum (II); In Honor of Great Grandparents Dolph and Evelyn Bosley and their 5 Gold Rings; Gil’s Elegant Catering; Jeanne R. Johnson; Given by Barbara Lake In Honor of Lesley Anne Lake; Myron K. Martin; Tom and Phyllis McCasland; In Honor of Chloe Simone Shea Given by Holly & Tom Mayer, Maile and Charles Shea.