Tag Archives: White House history

James Monroe, The Decorator

Nothing in James Monroe’s upbringing indicated his latent taste in the decorative arts. JM: Orphaned Boy James Monroe (1758-1831), Virginia born to a middle class planting family, was orphaned by the time he was 16. Into that parentless breach stepped … Continue reading

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John Tyler: Entitlements

The Whig Party was a brand new national entity in 1840. …And Tyler Who? The Whig Party, originally formed around 1836, was an amalgam of sectional and factional differences, basically centered on their dislike for President Andrew Jackson, whether it … Continue reading

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Zachary Taylor: Surprisingly Electable

  ZT: A Brief Background Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) was born to a fine old Virginia family, but the rugged individual type. They moved to the western part of Kentucky when Zachary was still a boy. Independence and ruggedness was a … Continue reading

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Grant’s Tomb: A NY Icon

The Civil War could have been fought 3x over in the time it took for Grant’s Tomb to be erected. We Love New York Choosing New York City to be the site of Grant’s final resting place was not difficult. … Continue reading

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General Ike’s Last Mission

But The General’s Health… …was not very good. He had suffered a few aches and pains and illnesses during his first six decades. But they were nothing out of the ordinary for a man his age, and with the great … Continue reading

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Andrew Johnson: The Kirkwood Inaugural

Andrew Johnson is one of the most unlikely US Presidents The Unlikely POTUS Beginning with Andrew Jackson in 1828, and into the 20th century, the White House was the home of some of the most unlikely men who ever rose … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, American Civil War, Andrew Johnson, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dolley Madison: Decorating the White House

Dolley Madison was 41 years old when she became First Lady in 1809… But… For eight years prior to 1809, she served frequently as de facto FLOTUS for President Thomas Jefferson, a widower. Even prior to the Jefferson Administration, Dolley … Continue reading

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The First Burial of Willie Lincoln

Willie Lincoln was 11 when he died in the White House. Willie. In December, 1850, ten months after his sickly four year old brother Edward Baker Lincoln died, William Wallace Lincoln was born. He was the third son born to … Continue reading

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Nellie Taft and the Philippine Band

Helen Herron Taft’s happiest years were in the Philippines. The Manila Years In 1900 Helen Herron Taft (1861-1943), married and mother of three, traveled to Manila, where she spent the next few years. Her husband of 15 years had been … Continue reading

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The Epiphany of Edwin M. Stanton

 Stanton: The Basics Edwin McMasters Stanton (1814-69), was Ohio born and raised, the son of a middle class physician and his wife. His father died when Edwin was only thirteen, leaving the family nearly destitute. Plagued by severe asthma, he … Continue reading

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