Life in the White House: A Social History of the First Family and the President's HouseRobert P. Watson This unique perspective on the White House, one of the most readily identifiable structures in the world, brings together the views of librarians, journalists, political advisers, attorneys, researchers, and professors. Filled with anecdotes, little-known facts, and scholarly analysis, the book shows how "The People's House" has been shaped and molded both architecturally and philosophically by the different administrations over the past 200 years. Erudite and entertaining, Life in the White House looks at the social history of the first family, the creation of the president's home, and efforts by first families to carve out a space for the important business of family, while preserving the history of their famous residence. This public museum and private residence, which began as the result of a $500 Jefferson-era architectural design contest, now symbolizes one of the world's great superpowers. |
Contents
Private Lives in a Public Home Media Coverage of First Families | 75 |
Profiles of First Families in the White House | 165 |
Preserving the Presidents House | 223 |
White House Floor Plan | 291 |
First Families 17892003 | 293 |
| 299 | |
Contributors | 315 |
| 319 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Abigail Fillmore addition administration Alice American Amy Carter Anthony architect became began Bill Clinton Billy Carter Billy’s brother building’s Bush Cabinet campaign capital city Caroline Harrison Chip Congress construction couple coverage daughter decor dent dinners Dolley Madison East Room Edith Roosevelt efforts election Executive Mansion family members family’s father federal Florence Harding Franklin Pierce furnishings George Washington guests Harding’s Hayes Hoban husband Ibid inaugural installed intentionally left blank interior James Jane Jane Pierce John Johnson Kennedy L’Enfant Lady Libyans Lincoln living McKim Monroe moved Nixon Oval Political appearances portrait preservation President Carter President’s House presidential family press conference Reagan redecorating relationship relatives visit renovation Roger Clinton role Rosalynn Carter second floor social staff stories Theodore Roosevelt Thomas Jefferson tion Tricia Nixon Truman walls wedding West Wing White House china wife wrote York