Oh, by Gosh, by Golly: Christmas at the White House

Christmas at the White House as it is orchestrated today is a very modern notion - First Ladies flanked by an army of support staff who prepare the year’s theme months in advance in anticipation of the holiday season began only in the mid 20th century. Historically, the First Family celebrated Christmas in private surrounded … Continue reading Oh, by Gosh, by Golly: Christmas at the White House

“White House Kids” Series – Lynda Bird Johnson Robb

As daughter of career politician and 36th President Lyndon Johnson, Lynda Bird Johnson Robb lived most of her life in the shadow of her dedicated father. A Texan through and through, President Johnson spent most of his time in the nation’s capitol attending his many duties, first as a Representative in the House serving Texas’s … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Lynda Bird Johnson Robb

“White House Kids” Series – Margaret Truman Daniel

Being a child of a President of the United States cannot at all times be pleasant - being the only child of a United States President, arguably one of the greatest President’s in our nation’s history, is a daunting fate. However, Margaret Truman, daughter of 33rd President Harry S. Truman, carried this burden with grace … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Margaret Truman Daniel

“White House Kids” Series – Anna Roosevelt Halsted

A second famous First Daughter carrying the Roosevelt name came about twenty years after her cousin - Alice Roosevelt Halsted. Eldest and only female child of powerhouse couple Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Anna Roosevelt Halsted was one of the most understated accomplished women of the 20th century. Co-editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, owner of the … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Anna Roosevelt Halsted

“White House Kids” Series – Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Arguably the most well-known and controversial First Daughter with the name Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt Longworth was a woman before her time. Unbending in the face of scandal (which she frequently was featured in and appeared to relish in) while using her wit and intellect to become the great equalizer at every social gathering, Alice Roosevelt … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Alice Roosevelt Longworth

“White House Kids” Series – Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln, by his own accord, imagined his life to be filled with sorrow and heartbreak. The eldest of the four sons born to Mary Todd Lincoln and President Abraham Lincoln, Robert was the only one to survive to adulthood and die of old age. Robert would be in direct connection with three separate … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Robert Todd Lincoln

“White House Kids” Series – Harrison Ruffin Tyler, Grandson of 10th President John Tyler

To many, the history of the United States can seem long - over two centuries of political discourse, social changes, and frequent fluctuations in just about everything else. The history of our nation, however, is relatively short, especially considering that a grandson of tenth President John Tyler is still alive today. Born in 1928, Harrison … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Harrison Ruffin Tyler, Grandson of 10th President John Tyler

“White House Kids” Series – Lyncoya Jackson

Very little is known about Lyncoya, the adopted Muscogee (Creek) son of seventh President, Andrew Jackson. During the Creek War (1813-1814), Colonel Andrew Jackson, accompanied by around 5,000 Tennessee militia troops, was sent to the Mississippi Territory (modern day Alabama) to quell and halt the recent uprising of Creek peoples against White settlers. One of … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – Lyncoya Jackson

“White House Kids” Series – The Jefferson-Hemings Four

The controversy surrounding the alleged slave children of third President Thomas Jefferson began in 1802 (when Jefferson was in office) and continued until 1998, when genetic evidence connected the descendants of a slave named Sally Hemings to descendants of the Jefferson line. The scandalous, salacious story of Jefferson of fathering slave children that worked on … Continue reading “White House Kids” Series – The Jefferson-Hemings Four

New Blog Series: “White House Kids” – In the Shadow of a Famous Father

John F. Kennedy Jr. plays under the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as his father, President John F. Kennedy, reviews official documents. October, 1963. For the month of April, the Reagan Library Education Blog is proud to announce our new blog series, "White House Kids". Being the President of the United States is by … Continue reading New Blog Series: “White House Kids” – In the Shadow of a Famous Father