Tag Archives: White House history

The Lincolns and the Showman

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Feather Foster

1862 was a horrible year for the Lincolns. The Bludgeon Blow When he was elected President in 1860, Abraham Lincoln knew that the challenges ahead, as he put it, were “greater even than those of George Washington.” Problems abounded from … Continue reading →

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Harriet Lane’s Bracelet Story

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Feather Foster

Harriet Lane served as de facto First Lady for her bachelor Uncle, POTUS James Buchanan. Little Orphan Harriet James Buchanan was a brother among many sisters. Having received a solid education, he became a successful Pennsylvania attorney, elected to Congress … Continue reading →

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The Hoovers’ Christmas Eve Fire

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Feather Foster

Most people know about the Burning of the White House in 1814….but in 1929? The White House Hoovers Few First Families were as well known, or came to the White House with higher expectations from their countrymen as Herbert and … Continue reading →

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Martin Van Buren: The Irony of 1840

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Feather Foster

8th POTUS Martin Van Buren is vaguely remembered today, but…. …he holds a few interesting distinctions. Born in 1782, he was the first President who was not born a British subject. He was the only President who learned another language … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

John Quincy Adams: Weights and Measures

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Feather Foster

The Constitution of the United States mandated that Congress develop a standardized system of weights and measures – back in 1787. Early Attempts at Uniformity No one argued with the importance of uniformity of measuring things – from the purity … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, James Monroe, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dolley Madison: The Recipe Swap

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Feather Foster

  Just as the Madison parlor was always full, so was their dining table. The Early Madison Years When the young widow Dolley Payne Todd became Mrs. James Madison in 1794, their first two years were spent in Philadelphia, then … Continue reading →

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Chester Alan Arthur in Hiding

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Feather Foster

When Chester Alan Arthur was named as Republican VP candidate in 1880, no one was more surprised than he was. CAA: A Brief Run-up. Very brief, in fact. Chet Arthur had never been elected to anything before. The New York … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Chester Arthur, James Garfield, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Calvin Coolidge: A Fish Story

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Feather Foster

Calvin Coolidge was a man of limited interests. The Private Mr. Coolidge There is a story that at some point, Calvin Coolidge was asked what his hobbies were. He replied, “I run for office.” Throughout his youth, there is no … Continue reading →

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James Garfield Goes to Congress

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Feather Foster

…with a little help from President Lincoln. Maybe.  JAG: A Brief History Ohio born James Garfield (1831-81) had a very unpromising start in life. His father died when he was two, with little to leave the family.  His mother later … Continue reading →

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The Monroe Plateau

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Feather Foster

…Arguably the second oldest permanent possession of the White House… The Return of the White House Shortly after Dolley Madison “rescued” the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington (the oldest possession)  in 1814, British soldiers torched the White House, as … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Andrew Jackson, George Washington, James Monroe, Martin Van Buren | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment