Since 1789, the White House has been the home of 54 First Ladies, including 43 official and 11 acting. Most arrived by marriage and many left their stamp on the title as the nation moved from infancy to world power. The very first was Martha Washington but more people remember Dolley Madison. Few know much about Elizabeth Monroe, wife of James, or a half dozen more until Mary Todd Lincoln arrived on the eve of the Civil War. After Mary, the names become a bit more familiar with such First Ladies as Lemonade Lucy Hayes, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosalyn Carter, Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama.
With the prospect (as of this writing) of a First Gentleman joining their storied ranks, it’s altogether fitting and proper to meet all who have gone before – the famous and the forgotten. The trip is all planned out so come along and meet the ladies of the house.
1/6 - Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson
1/13 - Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Adams and Rachel Jackson
1/20 - skip day
1/27 - Sarah Van Buren, Anna Harrison, Letitia Tyler, Priscilla and Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk
2/3 - Margaret Taylor, Abigail Fillmore, Jane Pierce and Harriet Lane
2/10 - Mary Todd Lincoln, Eliza Johnson, Julia Dent Grant and Lucy Hayes
2/17 - skip day
2/24 - Lucretia Garfield, Rose and Francis Cleveland, Caroline Harrison, Ida McKinley