Podcast The History of Wine and the White House
From the hearty Madeira to the fine Château Margaux, wine has a long and important history for presidents’ palates and...
Main Content
As the war in Europe cast its shadow over the capital’s social life, White House entertaining diminished. But one event in particular stands out: "A Program of American Songs for American Soldiers," presented by Burl Ives, Wade Mainer and other folk, spiritual and ballad singers in 1941. It was a new concept, a conscientious effort to relate American traditional music to the armed services at a critical period in the nation’s history. After President Roosevelt’s death in 1945, his vice president, Harry S. Truman, succeeded him. A passionate music lover, who played Chopin, Mozart, and Bach with modest proficiency, Truman had studied piano from age eight to sixteen, and the love of music remained with him all his life.
Landmark Era Performances - 1946-1947:
Because of extensive White House renovations (1948-1952), the Trumans
held only one season of concerts in the mansion, from November 1946 to
February 1947. These programs, however, included several prominent
artists, such as Lawrence Tibbett, Oscar Levant, Carroll Glenn, Eugene
List, and Helen Traubel, the esteemed vocal teacher of Truman’s musical
daughter, Margaret.
From the hearty Madeira to the fine Château Margaux, wine has a long and important history for presidents’ palates and...
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., the nation’s only unelected president and vice president, served thirteen terms in Congress before rising to...
A donation from the Recording Industry Association of America to the Nixon White House, the White House Recording Library was...
Bartlett Sher is a Tony Award-winning director who has brought thoughtful, powerful productions to theaters, opera houses, and film. He...
A State Dinner honoring a visiting head of government or reigning monarch is one of the grandest and most glamorous...
Wine has a long and important history in the White House, playing a unique role in entertaining, public ceremonies, and...
The White House includes 18 acres of historic grounds and gardens that have been cultivated for more than two hundred years...
In 1963, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy helped arrange one of the most daring art exhibits in history, charming the French Government...
From your family to the First Family, the winter holidays are a special time of year. Stewart McLaurin explores the...
Long before the emergence of the United States and Italy as modern nation states were influenced by classical writers, philosophers,...
A dinner at the White House has always had significance beyond the gastronomical delights. The elegance of the State Dining...
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pat Nixon entering the White House as First Lady. Through hard work and...