Dollhouse made by a White House gardener for the Cleveland children, c. 1896
When George Washington took office, he decided that the president
should work and live in the same residence. Every chief executive
since has abided by that rule. And while it has made performing
the job of president more efficient, it has made family life more
difficult. Quiet time and privacy must be seized from or interwoven
with official business. Ultimately it is almost impossible to lead
a "normal" existence when living in the White House.
"Sally,"
the White House doll, made around 1829 for Maria Louise Adams, granddaughter
of John Quincy Adams
Christmas
pageant program made by the grandchildren of Dwight D. Eisenhower,
1960
Spencer
repeating rifle used by Abraham Lincoln for target practice, about
1864
Book
of trout flies in a leather case belonging to Grover Cleveland, about
1888