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
With you to see these pieces come together and it is truly a privilege to introduce our first speaker who is a fellow wisconsinite like myself. My first speaker this morning will be eight noted landscape historian and author of the awardwinning white house historic and publication a garden for the president , history of the white house grounds. Jonathan will be signing copies of this book later today during the reception in the gift shop. You will have the opportunity to meet with him and talk about how great his presentation was no pressure. [laughter] welcomingn me in jonathan plus got [applause] yes hello. Honored to bey speaking at this wonderful garden symposium. I would like to thank the White House Historical association, open spring and all the other sponsors for having me here today and for hosting the event as well as that splendid reception last evening at the u. S. Botanic garden and of course thank you all for attending. Totask here this morning is give you an overview of
Symposium hosted by the White House Historical association in washington, d. C. He is an author of a garden for the president a history of the white house grounds. [applause] good morning. My name is dr. Matthew costello, and i am the assistant director of the National Center for white house history. It is a privilege to be with you this morning, also kind of seeing all the pieces together. It is truly a privilege to introduce our first speaker, who is a fellow wisconsinite like myself. Our first speaker this morning will be jonathan liska, the author of the awardwinning White House Historical association publication, a garden for the president 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. So you will have an opportunity to meet with him, and talk about how great his presentation was. [laughter] no pressure. So please join me in welcoming jonathan pliska. [applause] jonathan yes, hello, i am in
To learn about its history. Learn more about omaha and other stops on our to her at cspan. Org. You are watching American History tv, all weekend, every weekend, on cspan3. American history tv you cheering cspans original series first ladies influence and image. Cspan produced the series in cooperation with the White House Historical association. Through conversations with experts, video tours of historic sites, and questions from cspan audience we help tell the story of americas 45 first ladies. Next, lucy hayes, on first ladies influence an image. This is about an hour and a half. It is so unfair to her. Its such a dismissive, almost condescending title, because it suggests that shes sort of his bluestocking whose sole function in life was to not serve alcohol. Lucy hayes is so much more, as is her husband, frankly. And, remember, everything she accomplished in the white house, we should consider, came in spite of the fact that her husbands legitimacy to be president was questioned r
Lucy hayes is so much more. As was her husband. Everything she accomplished in the white house was in spite of the fact her husbands legitimacy to be president was questioned. She was a charming person very delightful. Innovative. One of the more controversial collections is the white house china. An article says the art was absurd. Who would want to eat a lovely meal and see a duck at the bottom of their plate . She took an interest in Public Affairs from an early age. Two causes that were important to her were veterans soldiers and or friends, children who were made orphans as a result of the civil war. She was a very devout mother. She does not neglect her children. She embraces the life. Womens minds are as strong as man. Equal in all things and superior in some. In 1831, born, in ohio, she was the first first lady lady to have a college degree. That tells us much about the time she lived in. The civil war and into a time where technological innovation and significant social forces