Clifton Truman Daniel, Susan Ford Bales, Margaret Hoover and Luci Baines Johnson

If you were unable to join us last Saturday night at the Truman Little White House, you missed quite and evening with four presidential children and grandchildren. Luci Baines Johnson, Susan Ford, Clifton Truman Daniel and Margaret Hoover shared their insights and memories sharing their lives as relatives of United States Presidents. CNN Commentator John Avlon moderated the evening from the lawn of the Little White House.

Not to dispair, CSPAN aired the event live on CSPAN3 and you can watch it here.

We will be doing it again next year on Saturday, February 18, 2012, so mark you calendars now!

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2010 is a census year in the United States, which is basically the government’s way of doing a head count.  In 1950, another census year, the Truman family was vacationing in Key West.  While on the island,  the census caught up with the president and his family and  they were interviewed on the lawn.  As the picture shows, the Truman family, especially Mrs. Truman and Margaret enjoyed the line of questioning directed at the president.  Even the the President of the United States is not immune to the questions of census as he was asked, “What is your occupation?”

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On Saturday, February 27, we had a great group of young men at the Little White House the Boy Scouts from troops 573 and 578 that represent Key West and Big Pine Key.  They were to here to plant a tree on the grounds of the Little White House as part of their Centennial Project.  2010 marks the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America and troops around the country are all taking on a special service projects in honor of the this special year. The Centennial Tree that was planted was a jacaranda, which when mature, will produce large purple flowers and really look fabulous in our garden.

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We had a wonderful turnout for Bess Truman’s birthday celebration on Saturday, February 13.  Over 200 folks joined us for cake.  We even had Bess (the wonderful Debbie Rothstein) help us serve the cake and she brought along her husband Harry (Debbie’s husband Tom Lavender).  A good time was had by all and many thanks to the Tom and Debbie for making this a special day.

Bess Truman (Debbie Rothstein), Bob Wolz and Harry Truman (Tom Lavender)

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In honor of the 125th birthday of Bess Truman, the Harry S. Truman Little White House will be serving birthday cake visitors to the house on Saturday, February 13, 2010.  Mrs. Truman was a frequent visitor to Key West, accompanying her husband during five of his visits to the Southernmost City.  Saturday, February 13 will also mark the debut of a new exhibit Bess Truman.

Elizabeth Virginia Wallace Truman was born on February 13, 1885 in Independence, MO. She first met Harry Truman in the first grade and married him on June 28, 1919.  Their only child, Margaret was born in 1924. In 1934, Truman was elected to the US Senate and in 1944, as Vice President of the United States.  Upon the death of President Roosevelt in 1945, Bess Truman became First Lady when her husband became the 33rdPresident of the United States.  An extremely private person, Mrs. Truman would spend much of her husband’s presidency in Missouri, returning to Washington only for the social season.

Bess Truman died in 1982 of congestive heart failure at the age of 97 and is the longest lived First Lady in US history.  Mrs. Truman is buried next to her husband at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri.

Harry & Bess Truman on their wedding day June 28, 1919.

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Harry Truman once was quoted as saying, “There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” We at the Little White House phrased it as “History is a process of discovery”. It seems we are always learning some long forgotten fact and discovering a “new” story that has relevance to the Little White House.

Larooco Captain Morris, his wife, unidentified crew & FDR March 21,1926.

Recently, we were delighted to read the ship’s log of the Larooco.  In August 1921 Roosevelt had been stricken with poliomyelitis. He became an early proponent for hydrotherapy and believed the clear salt water and warm sunshine of the Florida Keys had recuperative effects.  He rented a houseboat in February and March of  1923 and was convinced of the positive results. “I have been swimming four times and it goes better and better. I am sure this warmth and exercise is doing lots of good.” (March 5,1924)

In the winter of 1924, he purchased a houseboat with long time friend John Lawrence that they renamed the Larooco. The winters of 1924, 1925 and 1926 were spent relaxing, fishing, swimming and soaking up the sun. “In a few minutes I landed a fine kingfish, about 12 pounds, then (Miss LeHand) got a grouper, next a very big 7 pound snapper – then we ended up with two jacks, another big grouper, another snapper and two Spanish mackerel,” wrote Roosevelt.  (April 6,1924)

The cover of the ships log of the Larooco.

A new free exhibit on Franklin Delano Roosevelt has opened at the Little White House and will remain until February 28, 2010. Anna and James Roosevelt, grandchildren of President Roosevelt, will participate in a fundraiser dinner to benefit the Little White House  with Clifton Truman Daniel in February, 2010. Please plan to visit and learn the “ new “ story about Franklin Roosevelt in the Florida Keys.





All photos are from the Franklin D Roosevelt Museum & Library of Hyde Park, NY and contained in the current FDR in the Florida Keys exhibit  at the Little White House.

FDR fishing – no date – FDR loved to fish and spent winters of 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926. He was constantly fishing and even said he got a blister from the line taking off with no brake on his reel.

FDR with 500 lb – 7 ∏ ft long jewfish his son Elliot caught March 21, 1926 at Jewfish Creek area

soaking up sun in the very shallow water off Long Key Fishing Camp.

The houseboat Larooco owned by FDR & friend John Lawrence in 1924,1925, & 1926.

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William Howard Taft, born born on this date in 1857, was the first United States President to visit the Little White House (then known as Quarters A).  He took the train down to the Key West stopping here in 1912 before boarding a ship to Panama to inspect construction of the Panama Canal.

Taft, was an Ohioan just like our executive director, Bob Wolz.  He attended Yale and later the University of Cincinnati Law School.  Before entering politics, Taft served in several judicial positions including the Ohio Superior Court and U.S. Court of Appeals.  In 1900, Taft was appointed Governor General of the Philippines Taft by President William McKinley  later served as Secretary of War by President Theodore Roosevelt.

As president,  Taft made six appointments to the Supreme Court, including his predecessor as Chief Justice, Eward Douglass White and successor as Chief Justice, Charles Evans Hughes.  Arizona and New Mexico were admitted as states to the Union while Taft was in office. Taft’s presidency also saw the passage of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, no doubt everyone’s favorite, income taxes.

Following his term as president, Taft severed as the Chancellor Kent Professor of Law at his alma mater Yale and was later the president of the American Bar Associaiton. A true jurist, Taft’s passion the law was fulfilled in 1921 when President William Harding appointed him as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the only president to have served on the high court.  He served until his death in 1930.

Taft’s came from a very political family.  His father was Secretary of War under President Ulysses S. Grant and his own sons, grandsons and great grandsons have served as United States Senators from Ohio, mayor of Cincinnati, Governor of Ohio and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

President William Howard Taft in front of the USS Arkanas in Key West on his way to inspect the Panama Canal in 1912.

Taft died on March 8, 1930 and was the first president buried in Arlington National Cemetery, one of only two, the other being John F. Kennedy.  He was also the first of four Chief Justices of the Supreme Court Justices to be buried there as well along with Earl Warren, Warren Burger and William Rehnquist.

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Harry S Truman had it right over 60 years ago when he made his first visit to Key West in 1946.  For those of us who live and play in Key West, we know this as well. Let’s hope President Obama takes a look at this poll when planning his next vacation!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/08/17/whispers-poll-trumans-key-west-bests-obamas-marthas-vineyard.html

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MA1 Rodney Smith with Capt. Steven Holmes

Friends and family of MA1 Rodney Smith

This past Friday, the Little White House was please to host a military re enlistment.  This is a very special time for us and one of our favorite the occasions at the house.  MA1 Rodney Smith re enlisted for six more years in the United States Navy.  He is currently stationed at NAS Key West.  In addition to the base commanding officer, Capt. Steven Holmes being on hand, MA1 Smith had his friends and family supporting him as well.  Congratulations MA1 Smith!

MA1 Rodney Smith sitting a Harry Truman's desk.

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Check our the Little White House on NBC’s Today Show! We had a great time with the Al Roker and the crew while they filmed the house.The show had a weeklong series called Today Takes a Vacation and we scored with Key West being one of four cities they featured.

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