American First Ladies -- Collectively
American First Ladies
Some First Ladies have wielded political influence, some have helped with their husband's public image, and some maintained roles well out of the public eye. Find out about America's First Ladies here.
First Ladies Picture Gallery
A gallery of pictures of America's first ladies, wives of the presidents.
First Lady Quiz 1
How well do you know the first ladies of America -- the wives and official hostesses of the US presidents? Take this trivia quiz and find out.
First Lady Quiz 2
American First Ladies have been a fascination of the American public. Who are these First Ladies? Here are some descriptions of the wives of presidents or the women who served as official White House hostesses when the president was unmarried or widowed or his wife was too ill to serve. See if you can match the description to the correct name.
All the President's Children
From the Smithsonian, an online activity to identity the children of several Presidents. Children included are Thomas Lincoln, Archibald Roosevelt, Caroline and John Kennedy, Susan Ford, Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton.
Bibliography
Collective and general resources (mostly print) from the National First Ladies Library.
First Ladies
The Smithsonian Museum of American History announces a Spring 2001 opening of a new First Ladies website.
Leading Ladies: Roles and Successes
This New York Times lesson plan for grades 6-12 focuses on the lives of U.S. First Ladies.
Refurbishing the White House
A few details about life in the White House: John and Abigail Adams as the first residents, a piece of charred timber from the burning of the White House during James and Dolley Madison's time in the White House, and renovation information from the Truman years.
She's Not the First Lady to Escape the White House
New York Times article about Hillary Rodham Clinton's move to Chappaqua during her husband's term of office -- and other First Ladies who moved to their own homes, beginning with Louisa Adams who called the White House a "gilded prison." Others include Jacqueline Kennedy, Bess Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt and Ellen Axson Wilson.
State of the Union? A Dress Says a Lot
Claudia Kidwell, costume curator for the National Museum of American History, Washington, reflects on the style of inauguration dresses of the First Ladies, including the political and fashion messages they've communicated.
White House Weddings
Most of this page focuses on memorabilia from the 1886 White House wedding of Frances Folsom and Grover Cleveland. Also mentions Luci Johnson and Maria Monroe and some details of their White House weddings. From the Smithsonian's American Presidency exhibit.