Figure 1.--. |
|
Most presidents were married and had children. Often they were older men whose childen had grown up or in one tragic case died on the way to the White House. Some presidents were notable for adoring and romping with their children. One such father was Franlin Foosevelt, but his children had grown up by the time they reached the White House. Two presidents are notable for having a brood of younger children with him in the White House, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Tad and Willie's exploits were legend such as firing a toy but fully functional cannon at the President's cabinent. The Confederacy never got so close. The Roosevelt boys never topped that--but they came close and there were more of them. The White House was sometimes a dull place, but this changed when presidents arrived with young children. The McKinnely White House was a rather gloomy place. His wife was sick and he did not want her disturbed. And then tragically Presifent McKinnely was assasinated. The gloomy ambience changed when President Roosevelt arrived with him family. There were six children between 3 and 17, all but Alice boys. And the younger boys were to say the least not only active, but inventive to boot. As any parent will tell you, that combination makes for active parenting. The boys found that the White House could be turned into a huge play ground and their parents only somewhat or at least only succeeded in limited their activities to a degree. The East Room made a fine roller link and here we are not talking about staid little girl roller skating, it was sometimes more like Roller Derby. The attic could be converted into a secluded club house. The lawn made for a great place to race horses or play with other animals. Their father thoroughly enjoyed the boys and often joined them in their play. The President at times seemed just another one of the children, only slightly larger.
Most presidents were married and had children. Often they were older men whose childen had grown up or in one tragic case died on the way to the White House. Some presidents were notable for adoring and romping with their children. One such father was Franlin Foosevelt, but his children had grown up by the time they reached the White House. Two presidents are notable for having a brood of younger children with him in the White House, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Tad and Willie's exploits were legend such as firing a toy but fully functional cannon at the President's cabinent. The Confederacy never got so close. The Roosevelt boys never topped that--but they came close and there were more of them. The White House was sometimes a dull place, but this changed when presidents arrived with young children.
The McKinnely White House was a rather gloomy place. His wife was sick and he did not want her disturbed. And then tragically Presifent McKinnely was assasinated.
The gloomy ambience changed when President Roosevelt arrived with him family. There were six children between 3 and 17, all but Alice boys. And the younger boys were to say the least not only active, but inventive to boot. As any parent will tell you, that combination makes for active parenting.
The boys found that the White House could be turned into a huge play ground and their parents only somewhat or at least only succeeded in limited their activities to a degree. The East Room made a fine roller link and here we are not talking about staid little girl roller skating, it was sometimes more like Roller Derby. The attic could be converted into a secluded club house. Quentin was the youngest and somehow seemed to always be in trouble. One of his most michievious deeds was sneeking up on the roof of the Whie Hiuse after a snow storm with some friends. They made a giant snow ball and then rolled it off the roff on to a policeman standing guard below. Quentin was also know to target a revered portrait of Andrew Jackson with spitballs. I am not sure why he targeted Jackson in particular, perhaps because he was such a noted Democrat. The President seems to have had hard a particularly difficult time disciplining Quentin. After a hard day of play the President would often visit the boys to say good night in their bedrooms. Here he might entrall them with his stories about his cow boy days or of course te charge up San Juan Hill or other Rough Rider experiences. and not infrenquently have a good pillow fight with them. After which he often had meetings with people patiently wauiing to see him. The President once confided, "I love all these children and have great fun with them and I am touched by the way in which they feel I am their special friend, chmpion and companion."
Games were popular both at Saganmore Hill and the white House. Tag was often played. The President was always it. They played nside and outdoors. Bedtime often resulted in pillow fights. I don't think that Edth joiub=ned, but the President certainly did.
The lawn made for a great place to race horses or play with other animals. And their were plenty of animals to play with.
The Roosevelts not only brought children, but animals soon arrivdd in great number and variety. All children love animals and the White House grounds were large enough to accomodate what ever animals te children might collect or convince their parents to buy. One of the most formidable was Josiah the badger. There was a very vocal parrot. Pete the bull terrier had a mean side. His greatest accomplishment was chasing the French ambassador up a White House tree. President Bush might like a dog like Pete. Then there was Algonquin, Archie's pony. Mother was not always successful in keeping the boys' animals outside. Archie got sick and Quentin and Kermit got worried about him. So they though a visit with Algonquin would help cheer him up. Archie was confined to bed so obviously they had to bring Algonquin to Archie. Somehow they managed to sneak Algonquin by the White House guards and staff. So up Algonquin went in the White House elevator. Archie of course was delighted.
Their father thoroughly enjoyed the boys and often joined them in their play. The President at times seemed just another obe of the children, only slightly larger. He especially enjoyed playing with the younger boys, Archie and Quentin. They were 3 and 7 years old when the family moved into the White House. He joined right into their games, including pirates and cowboys and Indians. And they loved it.
There was no doubt that President Roosevelt could have ran and won a third term. There was no constitutional limitation at the time. He had, however, blurted out in an exuberent moment at the end of his 1904 election campaign that he would honor the no third term precedent. Edith told him immeditely that it had made mistake. And he did come to regret it, but kept his word. The Roosevelts left the White House after helping his friend William HowardcTaft win the office. Both he and the boys were sad about leaving such a grand place. The President said, I don't think that any family gas ever enjoyed the White House more than we have."
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Roosevelt family life page]
[Return to the Main Theodore Roosevelt page]
[Return to the Main President's page]
[18th Century]
[19th Century]
[20th Century]
[21st Century]