Tag Archives: White House history

TR and the White House Gang

When Theodore Roosevelt became President in 1901, he brought his wife and six kids – the largest group of youngsters in the White House. The Young Roosevelts At 42, Theodore Roosevelt was our youngest president, and not surprisingly, his family … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Nifty History People, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mary Lincoln’s Old Clothes

The close but unlikely friendship between Mary Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley would be permanently shattered by what Mrs. Lincoln would consider a gross betrayal. It was not intended as such. Mrs. Lincoln’s Debts When Mary Lincoln was First Lady, merchants … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, American Civil War, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Caroline Harrison: White House Artist

In the late 1880s, bustles were in fashion, and Caroline Harrison was the most “bustling” of all the First Ladies Mrs. Harrison: Domestic Diva Most women today will readily admit to disliking the drudgery of housework, to include cooking and … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Benjamin Harrison | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Grace Coolidge: The Press Conference

  The Coolidge Presidency saw two important “entertainment” milestones: one very small, and one very large. The Small Milestone Calvin Coolidge (1872-1932) was the first president to receive a budget allowance for entertaining.   Previously, with few exceptions, all dinners, luncheons, … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Calvin Coolidge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Recommended Reading | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Herbert Hoover | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The President and the Apprentice: A Book Review

The President and the Apprentice by Irvin F. Gellman is a massive and masterful book. It runs nearly 600 pages, not counting another 200 small print notes and citations. A remarkable effort. One could write pages of comments of course … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Recommended Reading | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin Pierce | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Grover Cleveland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Rutherford Hayes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments