Tag Archives: First Ladies

Under This Roof: The White House and the Presidency: A Book Review

Everyone knows the White House. Everyone should know the Presidents. And the rooms themselves are a national treasure! Paul Brandus is a long time Washingtonian  POTUS expert, and happily for all, a fellow who understands his audience. He does not … Continue reading

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Moving Mamie Eisenhower

   Mamie Doud was only nineteen when she married recent West Point graduate Lt. Dwight Eisenhower. Young Army Bride Mamie’s parents, John and Elivera Doud were not happy about their daughter’s marriage.  They adored Dwight David Eisenhower, and would consider … Continue reading

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Lou Henry Hoover: The Desk Story

In 1914 when World War I began in Europe, Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover were millionaires, living in a posh London townhouse. The Millionaire Part Neither of the Hoovers were born rich. Lou’s family were solidly middle class, but hardly … Continue reading

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Jane Pierce: First Lady of Sorrows

Some people are born with a melancholy gene. Like Jane Appleton Pierce. A Solemn Girl There was nothing in Jane Appleton’s (1806-63) childhood that suggested merriment. She was a New Englander, her father a Congregational minister, and strict religious observance … Continue reading

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Frances Cleveland: The FLOTUS As Celebrity

When 49-year-old sitting president Grover Cleveland took a 21-year old bride, the country was enchanted.   Frances Folsom: White House Bride New First Lady Frances Cleveland was not only young, but she was pretty.  She had a nice figure, a peaches-and-cream … Continue reading

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Lucy Hayes and the Spectacular Dinner Service,

The White House, then and now, requires a huge amount of china place settings. The Precedents of China Formal Presidential dinner services have always been needed for formal occasions since the time of George Washington’s terms of office in New … Continue reading

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The Plot to Assassinate General Grant

General Grant was one of John Wilkes Booth’s targets on April 14, 1865. This is Julia Grant’s story, penned some 35 years after it occurred, and not known to the general public for more than a century. April 14, 1865 … Continue reading

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Emilie Todd: Mary Lincoln’s Little Sister

Mary Todd Lincoln came from a huge family. There were fourteen children. Children and Steps: Mary Todd was the fourth of six children born to Robert Smith Todd and his first wife, Elizabeth Parker.   She died when Mary was only … Continue reading

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Hillary Rodham Clinton: On the Couch

A book review. Dr. Alma Bond has done it again, penning another psychological (sort of) look at a prominent woman. This time, it is Hillary Clinton, a living person, and as such, treated with kid gloves. The Device Dr. Bond … Continue reading

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Mrs. Hoover’s Bad Habit: The “Surprise Supreme”

 Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover started their marriage in China – with six servants.   They didn’t need them, but it was customary – in China. The Mining Engineer Both Herbert Hoover and Lou Henry were graduates of Stanford University, and … Continue reading

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