White house. American history tv features cspans original series, first ladies. Cspan produced in the series in cooperation with the White House Historical association. Through conversations, video tools, and questions from cspans audience, we tell the story of americas 45 first ladies. Next, helen taft. This is about 1. 5 hours. Helen taft was more ambitious by getting to the white house than her husband. Willing to get personally involved in politics to get elected. She overcame a serious illness to directly manage the white house, invite a Classical Musicians to perform, and supported concerts that mattered to her. Helen taft also has a visible legacy. Famouston, d. C. s japanese cherry trees, the ones that frame the title basin in bring visitors to washington every year. Good evening and welcome to first ladies, influence and image, the life of helen taft. He served from 19091913. Here to tell us about her life is her biographer. Is our musical first lady. You open the book making
She also seemed to have an agenda to get her husband to the white house. The story is that she decided during the haze and ministration she said she wanted to do that as well. There are a lot of women sometimes, she is portrayed as a cross between Mommy Dearest and lady macbeth, which is not the case. She was a much more constructive influence and a nicer lady. Helen taft has an interesting story. We bet many of you will be hearing it for the first time. He would like to involve even our conversation. You can send us comments on facebook. You can also send us a tweet using the first ladies. We will get to your calls in a few minutes. First, we will tell you about her early biography. How does she get to the white house at age 16 . Her father in cincinnati where friends with president rutherford b. Hayes and lucy hayes and they went to the white house she had not yet made her debut. She could not participate in social activities. President hayes and says it was wonderful to have her the
Taft our musical first lady. You opened the book by making the case that of the 20th century first lady, shes the most obscure, but you say she deserves better from history. Tell me quickly why she deserves better than being obscure . Mr. Gould well, because she did some things that were, as youve mentioned in your opening, about that were very constructive, i mean, the cherry trees, bringing the Classical Music musicians to the white house, and, generally, trying to make washington the Cultural Center of the nation. That was her ambition. Now, it didnt work out because of medical reasons. But she had an agenda that would have made her rank with Eleanor Roosevelt or Lady Bird Johnson in terms of transforming washington had things gone the other way. Ms. Swain she also seemed to have an agenda to get her husband to the white house. Mr. Gould yes, the story is that she decided when she visited the white house in the hayeS Administration, hey, i want to do that as well. Its somewhat overd
The spanishamerican war, etc. Books onn hes written maybe the best book on the United States senate, may the best book on the presidency, on the republican party. Hes written about various president s taft, roosevelt, mckinley, etc. Hes written the history of wyoming. Hes written a history of first ladies. Hes an extraordinary historian. From historical americans, blurbs on the modern american presidency. The freshest and most original study of the modern presidency, compelling analysis and critique of robert dolly, whos also been here in the library, where achievements and , strong andnthesis provocative, richard ellis. Highly readable, refreshingly revisionist required readings, stephen gillen. As i introduce our friend, friend of the library, friend of mine, formerly professor at the university of texas, wonderful writer, i want to read what Richard Norton says about him. Gould does not hesitate to offer sobering conclusions. Will stayt lew gould sober tonight. Ladies and gentlemen,