Women where they could wield a great deal of political power. Here, Dolley Madison would sit at the head of the table and direct the conversation. She got these people to the white house and entertained them, got them together, got them talking. This is very important for dolley to make everyone feel welcome. Whether they were enemies or allies. Dolley popularized the style to american fashion, that was considered her classic look. People noticed it. The octagon, it was the perfect setting for james and Dolley Madison as they try to resume government as quickly as possible. She sat side by side with madison for almost 20 years during his entire meant, helping him compile his papers. She moved back to washington d. C. And became a grand, very much behind the scenes in the political field again. As henry clay said, everyone loves mrs. Madison, and then her equally famous response, thats because mrs. Madison loves everybody. Dolley madison came to her service as first lady with the experi
This is the Woodrow Wilson house in washington d. C. , the home of our 28 president and former first Lady Edith Wilson after they left the white house in 1921, youll see more of that over the next two hours as we tell the story of the story of the two Woodrow Wilson first ladies, edith and allen. Ellen and woodrow met in their twenties and their love was reflected in passionate letters. And passioned artists and an intellectual companion, she adopted causes and set an example for future first ladies. Ellen wilson died in the white house a year and a half into the president s term. The grieving president soon met washington businesswoman edith galt through a mutual friend. They married after a series secret courtship, and she served as first lady for more than five years. Her unprecedented role in managing the president s affairs after the president s stroke remains one of the most controversial elements of any first lady. Welcome to the continuing series, first ladies, influence and im
Consider Caroline Harrison as one of the most underage or to serve in this role. Well learn why in this segment of first ladies, influence and image. Here to tell us more about Caroline Harrison or two guests who know the office well. The first ladys historian, the director meredith of that enormously popular first ladies exhibit at this milled sonia. Its edi i thank you for coming in. And bills seale, white house historian, has spent his professional career understanding the history of that buildings. Among his books is the president s white house. And doctors, were going to start with an illustration tonight. For the government was spending a lot of money. Its she got into it by wanting to create a house, they were crammed in this house. The only lived upstairs. You see, understand on the picture, the middle of the upper picture, the columns and the street side of it the office was on the left. Its the east room was below that, and the other public rooms on the ground floor. Then the
Jonathan pliska, and author of the awardwinning White House Historical association publication, a garden for the a history of the white house grounds. Jonathan will be signing copies of this book later in the day during the reception in the gift shop. You will have an opportunity to meet with him, and talk about how great his presentation was. [laughter] please join me in welcoming jonathan pliska. [applause] yes, hello, i am jonathan pliska. I am absolutely honored to be speaking at this wonderful garden symposium. I would like to thank the White House Historical association, oak spring, and all the other sponsors for having me here today for hosting the event. As well as that splendid reception last evening at the u. S. Botanical garden. Thank you all for attending. I am going to give you the overview of the first 100 years or so of the white house grounds. Focusing on the various uses of the landscape, as well as its physical development, and to squeeze us all in in a little under 3
The u. S. Botanic garden and, of course, thank you all for attending. My task here this morning is to give you an overview of the first 100 years or so of the white house grounds. Focusing on the various uses of the landscape as well as the physical development and to squeeze this all in in a little under 30 minutes. Now thats a bit of a tall order. Were obviously not going to be able to touch on everything. But i like a challenge. I think well do just fine. Okay. So lets start with the basics. As im sure youre aware, the who us is the official residence of the president of the united states. And is located just a few hundred yards south of near downtown washington. The white house itself stands as the centerpiece of a grand 18. 7 acre site which we know as the white house grounds. Having been established in 1790, the white house grounds in fact constitute the oldest continually maintained landscape in the nation. The grounds are older than the mansion itself. George washington is rath