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White House - The Residence
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1489967
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White House - The Residence
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Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files (Ford Administration)
Sheila Weidenfeld's General Subject Files
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The original documents are located in Box 46, folder "White House - The Residence" of the
Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
President's Bedroom.
AMERICAN HEPPLEWHITE FOUR POSTER BED
Made of mahogany, this bed is the work of a craftsman of
Massachusetts and dates from the late 18th century. Designed
in the Federal style, it features reeding and fan-shaped carved
inlays on the bedposts. The bed hangings are based on period
designs of the early 19th century.
KNEEHOLE SECRETARY-BOOKCASE
Designed in the Hepplewhite style and made in Baltimore
circa 1790-1810, the secretary is made of mahogany and richly
inlaid with satinwood. The upper section is a bookcase and the
lower section opens to reveal a flat writing surface. Formerly
in the Garvan Collection.
WING CHAIR
The upholstered wing chair is of Hepplewhite design dating
about 1800. It has been attributed to John and Thomas Seymour
of Boston, Massachusetts. The most distinctive feature of this
chair is the rich veneer panelling on the front face of the front
legs. The chair isuupholstered in a red cottom damask.
MIRROR
Over the Charleston chest hangs a New York mirror of the
Hepplewhite style dating from the late 18th century. It features
an eglomisé panel illustrating classical scenes and floral motifs.
BERAU R. FORD LINE*
Digitized from Box 46 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
Pools and
Books for
Presidents
By Isabelle Shelton
Washington Star Staff Writer
The new White House outdoor swim-
ming pool that President Ford first swam
in yesterday is the latest in a long line of
gifts the American people have given
their presidents for their entertainment,
recreation and study.
The White House already had an inside
pool (no longer in use), two bowling
alleys, a library, a movie theater, a
stereo set with a huge record collection,
two book collections, a pool table and a
tennis court, all of them gifts. There used
to be a putting green too but the last
administration removed it.
The earlier White House pool was con-
verted by the Nixon administration into-
enlarged press quarters. It was given in
1933 to President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
who needed the daily swim to exercise
his polio-shrunken legs.
Forty-four newspapers in New York
state, where Roosevelt had been gover-
nor, conducted the fund drive, spear-
headed by the New York Daily News
(which later came to be one of FDR's
harshest critics).
THE 15X50-FOOT indoor pool, located
in former storage space in the portico
that connects the West Wing with the
executive mansion, cost $22,316 in 1933.
Roosevelt and his large family and'
their children used the pool daily. The
Eisenhower grandchildren used it a lot,
as did President Truman and his daugh-
ter, Margaret. So did Presidents Kenne-
dy and Johnson and their families. John-
son also shocked sensitive souls by
conducting affairs of state there while
swimming naked.
Ford's new 22x55-foot heated outdoor
pool, constructed on the South Grounds
behind the President's Oval Office, is
costing an estimated $63,314.
There has been no final decision on
what will be done with the balance of the
$118,495 contributed by the general pub-
lic, but part of it almost certainly will be
used to build a poolside bath house of
some sort. At present, the President has
to change into his swimming trunks in his
office, or go back to the family quarters
in the mansion to change.
ALL OF THE FORDS loved their back-
BERALD
yard swimming pool when they lived in
Alexandria, and the new pool is expected
LISARAY
to be used extensively by all of them -
probably twice a day by the President.
There has been some discussion by
White House staff members about wheth-
er they will ever be allowed to use the
pool. The original announcement said it
was for "the President and his guests,"
and there has been no further definition
of the word "guests." The pool is unlikely
See WHITE HOUSE, Page 3
Washington Stas - Lvly 6, 1975
WHITE HOUSE
PENN. AVE.
Continued From F-1
to be a playground for large groups of swimmers when
the President is in residence, because of its proximity to
BOWLING ALLEY
his office.
Over the years most of the recreational equipment
(Underground)
given to the White House has been donated either by
private citizens or by a related industry.
REFERENCE LIBRARY
Thus, President Eisenhower's putting green was a
(Ground Floor)
gift from the Mid-Atlantic Greenskeepers' Association.
It was removed, a veteran staff member recalls, be-
cause "Nixon wasn't using it, and the special grass re-
quired was expensive to keep up."
TOBO
LIBRARY
PAGE
2
THE ELBURN HERALD, THURSDAY "MAY 10, 1973
STATE OF ILLIN
personal quarters since in carrying the piece up a
IN THE CIRCUIT COL
flight of steps took them through this area. Between
THE 16th JUDICIAL C
A WHITE HOUSE SPÉCIAL
this new facility and the President's bedroom is a private
KANE COUNTY
dining room, all of which face Pennsy Avenue.
ILLINOIS
Windows are constructed of bullet-proof glass.
IN PROBATE
In the Matter of the I
BY MARION LANDIS
We mentioned previously the security check on all
JOHN A. BENSON, I
Any woman who enjoys her role as a homemaker can:
personnel involved with the job who had to be invest
Gen. No. 73-P-3601.
undoubtedly understand Pat Nixon's elation over having
igated just ten days before work was to begin, and the
CLAIM NOTICE
her own private kitchen to prepare family favorite dishes.
police escort which accompanied the trucks carrying
Notice is given of the
True, she had access to the several White House kitchens,
John A. Benson of Elb
the equipment onto the White House grounds. In addition
nois. Letters Testament
but can you imagine preparing an intimate family dinner
to these precautions, the White House is literally filled
issued on April 26,
with institutional sized equipment?
with security guards, reports Gee, who said he found
Philip Johnson, Execut
As reported a short time ago, a local man, Robert
one at every turn throughout the building.
1, Elburn, Illinois, who:
Gee of Hughes Road, while discussing a news release
Visiting with these guardians of the President's safety,
ney is John L. Nickels ;
pertaining to another matter, casually mentioned that
AC, Elburn, Illinois 601:
he found them to be very intelligent, friendly young
Claims may be filed
he would be in Washington, D. C., overseeing the
men whose ages he estimated to be between 22 and 30,
months from the date
installation of a St. Charles Kitchen. Atour request
and who obviously were in top physical condition. He
ance of said Letters
he obligingly shared the experience with US.
learned that they are required to participate in a physical
any claim not filed will
The kitchen was to be located next to the Nixon's
period is barred as to tl
training program for six hours each week which includes
which is inventoried wi
private quarters on the second floor in a room that
judo instruction.
period. Claims must be
had been, prior to her marriage, Margaret Truman's
These guards are changed every two hours because
the office of the Clerk
bedroom. A huge brick fireplace had to be removed as
Court at the Kane Cour
after this amount of time they are inclined to be less
House, 100 South Thir
part of the remodeling which was to have started on
alert, Gee was told.
Geneva. Illinois and cop
April 3, but because the President had unexpectedly
As my husband, H. F., listened to Bob relate his
ed or delivered to the
stayed another day after Mrs. Nixon had left for
experiences concerning tight security, he couldn't
or administrator and
California, the demolition was delayed one day. Gee
help but reflect upon this change as compared with the
attorney.
Dated April 26, 1973.
reports that no souvenir remembrances were
freedom he enjoyed when visiting the Capitol in 1922.
Jan E. Carlson
available, not even a single brick from the fireplace
At that time, he reminisced, he and a friend strolled
Clerk of the Circ
could he bring home; neither was he permitted to take
thru a corridor just outside the president's office where
May
any pictures.
they could see Warren G. Harding at work at the pre-
STATE OF ILLINOIS
The new kitchen measures approximately 15 by 13 feet
sidential desk. He also recalls how the two of them
COUNTY OF KANE
with an adjoining bar/pantry 91/2 by 6 which is com-
were barred from attending a meeting of the Senate
IN THE CIRCUIT
plete with sink and under counter refrigerator. After
THEREOF
because they were not wearing suit coats even
D
FEDERAL NATIONAL
the remodeling was completed, St. Charles custom
sweater would have sufficed, but shirt sleeves were
GAGE ASSOCIATION,
cabinets made to specifications were used to line the
definitely out!
poration organized and
20-inch thick walls. Once Bob was permitted to check
Gee also tells US that the Herald, so far as he is
under the laws of th
States
out his layout, he discovered one correction had to be
aware, is the only area paper to carry news of this
made. This necessitated phoning the home office at St.
installation other than two daily papers in the East
vs.
Charles requesting that one unit be constructed three
who made small mention of the undertaking. The moral
ROSELLE STATE BA
inches smaller than had been ordered which resulted in the
(should there be one) is that area people should con
TRUST COMPANY, 3
OF TRUST 1315; UN
spontaneous manufacture of another and sent the same
scientiously read this local weekly (and hopefully
BENEFICIARIES OF
day by air-freight to Washington.
contribute) because, as in this instance, occasi onaly
1315; JON R. PETI
Mrs. Nixon chose cabinet doors in Fruitwood
To: Patti
handling
From: Betty Wells
REX Picture essay of quaint, curious, unusual, historical,
amusing, small, detail objects of beauty found in White House ----
probably from 1900 on back. Would like to ignore the over-
whelming and obvious. These have already been on shows and in
books. Little details that would impress the President and
his family, as well as Curator and staff, and co8ld be hidden
from view. Her style is delicate and feminine in pen and ink
handled in a baroque manner with splashy, colorful, drippy,
overlay of watercolors. How they can be used in Bicentinneal ---
won't be used in regular Friday stuff but should have a
Bicentinneal flavor. Perhaps will run during the week and think
it would be shared with locals (WRC and NBC frequently share)
will be set to music and what would be said -- something on the
order of "The W.H. curator thiss this is particularly interesting," 11
or anything that would give them a personal touch.
(She knows Ford's friend Mr. Willis, President of Alakkan Airlines)
Did NBC art stuff on Watergate, had a one-woman show at Baltimore
Museum of Art -- this would be more fine art that the
GREAT FORD stuff
Bill Roberts can probably tell you more.
2-E
THE PLAIN DEALER, SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1975
The Nixons left small
comfort in White House
By Betty Beale
lic will get its first look at
gave them a free hand,
coordinate Christian ac-
WASHINGTON, D.C.-
pictures of the redone
and the two men are
tivities worldwide," ac-
Can an average, redblood-
rooms authorized by Pat
pleased with the authentic
cording to McCollister.
ed American family find
Nixon.
quality of it all.
Residents of the super-
happiness in a museum?
The curator of the A-
But some members of
plush area are up in arms
Or what price authentici-
merican wing of the
the White House Preserva-
over the purchase of the
ty?
Metropolitan Museum,
tion Committee, which 10
house for a coordinating
Barry Tracy, now calls the
And when should au-
days ago held its first
center. "We are going to
Green Room "the finest
thenticity end and comfort
meeting in two years, dis-
fight that right down to
Federal room in an histor-
covered that the Green
the barrier," said a mem-
begin?
ic house in America," says
Room is no longer design-
ber of the area associa-
These are questions
White House curator Cle-
ed for seated conversation.
tion. "If they want to set
Betty Ford must have
ment Conger with pride.
The only place where
up such an operation they
asked herself many times
Conger is not only an
guests can relax together
should go someplace in
since moving into the
expert on the period, but
is on a settee blocked by a
the city not zoned solely
White House.
he was assisted by that
high Duncan Phyfe table
for single-family dwell-
When the new White
recognized authority on
in front of it.
ings."
House guidebook is pub-
the 19th century, Edward
There are so many big
For Roman Catholic
lished next month the pub-
Vason Jones. Mrs. Nixon
pieces in the small room,
Archbishop William Baum
that there is very little
of Washington, the seller,
standing room left either.
it's the second time he's
Beautiful authenticity it
been engaged in a contro-
has, but comfortable
versy over this mansion,
eharm it hasn't.
considered by many to be
As for the Yellow Oval
the most beautiful house
Room in the First
in Washington.
Family's private quarters
When he bought it a year
on the second floor, Mrs.
ago for his own residence
Ford feels about it the
at the not inconsiderable
way Lady Bird Johnson
sum of $525,000, there
did when she saw it last
was an outcry from Wash-
fall.
ington Catholics then en-
"I miss the comfortable
gaged in a fund drive for
sofas and the warm invit-
the poor.
ing look," said Lady Bird.
(The biggest objector,
In place of the sofas are
Paulist Father Edward
four gilded chairs stamped
Guinan, who went on a
C. Sene, one of the great
water-only fast until the
seatmakers of Louis XVI's
archbishop put the house
time, and similar to some
back on the market, later
at Versailles.
gave up his clerical status.
He relinquished it to
Can a President plop
marry a co-worker in the
down for a cozy evening
soup kitchen for the poor.)
on 300-year-old antiques?
The answer is no. But it
The archbishop's law-
cost $100,000 to do over
yer, George Hamilton III,
the Yellow Oval Room, so
said he went to great
Mrs. Ford feels no more
lengths to ascertain that
money can be spent to
the new owners would not
make it comfortable.
break the zoning law.
Therefore the room,
"I was told it would be
once a favorite gathering
occupied by Dr. William
place during the Kennedy
Bright, president of the
$90
and Johnson administra-
Campus Crusade for
tions, is now 30 formal
that it is used only for
Belief that Bright might
cocktails for state visitors.
make his home there
No wonder First Families
would not soothe the
Elementary for Any Weather
need to get out of the
neighbors, however. "To
White House to relax.
drop the college campus
Posh and purposeful sophisticate that shrugs off
movement with worldwide
rain, and stains as well, for that matter. Easy,
Washington, the diplo-
contacts into a very quiet
elegant lines to sash in if you choose. Bone
matic capital of the world,
residential district is an
polyester-cotton with black, leather-mimic accents
may not get the so-called
outrage," said one of
and gleams of goldtone metal on the sleeves
"Christian Embassy" after
them.
and epaulettes. Sizes 8 to 16.
all.
Robert redford, whose
That's the name 20
eyes, expression and pos-
Wm.
Christian businessmen led
ture radiate masculine
by Baton Rouge lawyer
energy, found himself dis-
Kitt
Rolfe McCollister have
cussing solar energy with
given to the $550,000 man-
everyone he met in Wash-
sion they purchased here
ington at his "Great Waldo
to be "a nerve center for
Pepper" premiere for the
Star 1/2/76
Paint's the Answer
A Little White Truth About White House
For those who have always won-
The building was first painted in
dered but were afraid to ask, now it
1817, and the job has been all the
can be told:
more imperative since President
Despite its inhospitable sandstone
Theodore Roosevelt, who took office
surface, the White House is as white
in 1901, became the first occupant to
as it is because it is painted every
officially call the building the White
four years.
House instead of the Executive Man-
In between time, especially on the
sion.
ornate and columned North and
The work usually takes two to
South porticos, the paint is occasion-
three months, depending on the
allly steam cleaned.
weather.
"The rest is a flat surface and fair-
To close White House observers,
ly well cleans itself," said a knowl-
new paint takes on a sort of golden
edgesble
Pasi 4/3/76 Personalities
Brigitte Bardot has embraced a new
the identity of his bride-to-be. A
calling. The most important thing she
spokesman said yesterday that the
has ever done, she says. She is start-
Ohio Democrat will be married within
ing a foundation to help protect the
the next month. But since the couple
world's wildlife. Only illness, she said,
wishes to keep their plans private, the
forced her to cancel a flight to Canada
bride's name won't be a matter of
a few days ago. She was on her way
public record until it's entered on the
to protest the clubbing of baby seals.
marriage license.
"This massacre must end," said the
Hays was equally secretive about
film star, "I have waged war against
the identity of his first wife whom he
this and I'll fight to the end."
divorced earlier this year. No refer-
ence to her appeared in the official
Richard Nixon loved it. Gerald
Congressional Directory.
Ford evidently does not seem to har-
Nobody velled "fire." but a few
THE PORCELAIN
Stars 2/29/76
Abigail Adams Set a Precedent
Antiques and Americana: Fine Porcelain at the White House
By Orva Heissenbuttel
duced during this period
Special to The Washington Star
were of soft-paste porce-
lain. The intent was to
The tradition of using
rival Meissen porcelain,
only fine porcelain on
and by early 1749 a fine
White House tables was
quality porcelain was pro-
set by Abigail Adams, the
first mistress of the Presi-
B
duced. It was in 1753 that
the factory broke away
dent's House. She brought
from the "Dresden china
along her own set of
figure" style by starting
French porcelain, made
to produce unglazed bis-
by the Sevres factory with
cuit porcelain figures in
a design of blue cornflow-
imitation of marble The