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Easter Egg Roll: The First Families' Role
Once the White House was opened to public egg rolling festivities in 1878, first families had to decide whether they were going to join the throng of celebrants or just organize and play host to it. Previously, the South Lawn was reserved for their own private Eastertide activities. Now the grounds represented a famous rite of spring for the nation's capital.
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The American Presidents Song
The origin of the "American Presidents" by Genevieve Ryan Bellaire is somewhat unique. One year, Genevieve's father asked her to memorize the order of the Presidents of the United States for Father's Day. As she did, she began to come up with rhymes to help her remember each President. After sharing this method with her family, they told her that
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Richard Norton Smith
Born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1953, Mr. Smith graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1975 with a degree in government. Following graduation he worked as a White House intern and as a free lance writer for The Washington Post. After being employed as a speech writer for Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke, he went to work for Senator Bob Dole, with
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2009 Winning Essay The Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship
Presidents have a tendency to be idolized for their perceived successes—Ronald Reagan for his role in felling Communism and realization of the GOP economic model—and demonized for their perceived failures—Carter for his handling of the Iranian hostage crisis and skyrocketing inflation rates—or simply forgotten in mediocrity. Before these impressions are etched in stone, their every move is follo
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Our Partnership with the Washington Nationals
White House history and American baseball history have been intertwined for more than a century, creating a rich legacy of presidential fans, championship celebrations, and more than a few first pitches. During a three-year partnership with the Washington Nationals, the Association was able to reach a new audience with our mission through a fun, educational collaboration that elevates White House
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2016 Official White House Christmas Ornament Fact Sheet
The White House Historical Associationcommissions the official White House Christmas ornament each year. This is the 36th ornamentin the series begun in 1981. The ornament honors 31st U.S.President Herbert Hoover and is inspired by the fire engines that responded tothe 1929 Christmas Eve fire at the White House and the toy trucks presented tochildren by the Hoovers the following Christmas.
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The Life and Presidency Herbert Hoover
The 2016 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of the thirty-first president of the United States Herbert Hoover, who served from 1929 to 1933. The ornament is inspired by the fire engines that responded to the 1929 Christmas Eve fire at the White House and the toy trucks presented to children by the Hoovers the following Christmas. Crafted from shiny brass plated with
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Easter Egg Roll Significant Dates
April 29, 1876 – President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation protecting the public turf and grounds of the U.S. Capitol; egg rolling was among the activities banned. April 2, 1877 – It rained on Easter Monday, so the new law did not have to be enforced. April 22, 1878 - The first annual White House Easter Egg Roll was held after President Rutherford B. Hayes agreed to open
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About Our Authors
JAMES ARCHER ABBOTT is the Executive Director of the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes, Delaware. His publications include JANSEN, JANSEN Furniture, and Baltimore’s Billy Baldwin. He is the co-author of Designing Camelot. (WHH #60) WILLIAM ADAIR is a frame historian, conservator, and gilder in Washington, D.C. (WHH #54) MATTHEW ALGEO is a writer and journalist. He is the author of se
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Recent Book Releases
Official Residences Around the World by Abby Clouse-Radigan This survey of the official residences and offices of some fifty nations around the world represents nearly one thousand years of building and renovating. Who lives in these residences? What were their original purposes and how have they been adapted for modern use? How do they project and preserve each nation's heritage?
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2024 Next-Gen Leaders
As part of the White House Historical Association’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2021, the Next-Gen Leaders (NGL) initiative was announced. The NGL cohort is a group of influential young professionals representing a wide variety of fields, bound together by a passion for history, civics, and education. NGL members serve as ambassadors for the Association's nonpartisan, nonprofit, and historic mission and to
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Education Initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America
The White House Historical Association and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America started a partnership in the spring of 2016 aimed at educating students on the history of the White House. The initiative first partnered with Washington D.C. area Boys & Girls Clubs and expand to clubs nationwide. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has long been associated with