History
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Above Left: In 1958 Bunny, Hazel, Fred
(Skippy), and Darlene Johansen attend the Eisenhower's' White House Easter Egg
Roll. (NARA Eisenhower Library)
Above Center: Barbara Rose Griffin, age 6, was greeted at the 1938 egg roll
by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. (Washingtoniana Division, DC Public Library)
Above Right: Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter arrive at the 1977 egg roll with
daughter Amy and grandson Jason. (NARA, Jimmy Carter Library)
 
 AS
THE EGG ROLLS
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Did
Dolley Madison ever host an egg roll for children at the U. S. Capitol?
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First C. L. Arbelbide checked with numerous Madison scholars who were plowing their way through
President and Mrs. Madison's personal letters. They expressed that the story was
"highly unlikely." And to this date, nothing has turned up in
those letters to confirm the story. At the Library of Congress, C. L. retraced
references when given in books that published the Madison connection, Still no
primary document had surfaced to tie the story directly to the Madisons.
During a visit to the
Washingtoniana Division, DC Public Library, C. L. discovered the story inside a
1922 Washington, D.C., guide book. Nothing earlier has yet to be unearthed. A copy of
C. L.'s findings was forwarded on to the White House Curator's office.
"Why," C. L. was asked, "are you researching this
issue?" "The
story is so charming - why not leave it alone?" "Because, it can shed
light on what life was like in Washington City during the early 1800s (Dolley Madison's
time)" replied C. L. Washington City was a slave city. Yes, there in the shadow of the Capitol
were slave pens. The Madisons owned slaves as did a number of Presidents. The local press ran ads selling adult and child
slaves and a announcements of
runaway slaves were also printed. With these social norms in place, it seems unlikely that such a party was held
for all children.
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Rabbit's FOOTnote: Students did you know that the slaves in Washington, D.C.
were set free by President Abraham Lincoln before the January 1, 1863
Emancipation Proclamation? Yes - on April 16, 1862 a presidential proclamation
freed the D. C. slaves. Jubilee Day, as it became known was celebrated annually
for many years then slowly faded away. The D.C. City Council revived the
celebration in 2002. Look for organizers of April 16 - Jubilee Day - to provide
more historical information regarding this unique time in America's history.
Regarding
the 2002 George Bush (#41) Presidential Library Egg Roll
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Why didn't the 2002 George Bush (#41) Presidential
Library Egg Roll make the March 28, 2002 USA TODAY list? |
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The article was scheduled for the
newspaper's Easter weekend edition. The early birds at the Bush
Presidential Library had hosted their event a week earlier! |
Rabbit's FOOTnote: The Bush Presidential Library Egg Roll
hatched in 1999! It is held annually on the grounds of the Bush Presidential
Library located in College Station, TX. Yes they too give out wooden eggs to the
children!
We hope you enjoy a look back at
the history surrounding this special presidential
event. Email your thoughts and questions, to eggmaster@whitehouseeaster.com.
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