Reading this article today reminded me of a recent book I
devoured in three sittings.
Upstairs at the White
House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West chronicles the career of a
White House Chief Usher. The Chief
Usher's job is to oversee the staff and budget of the residential White House.
Starting with Mrs. Roosevelt and ending with Mrs. Nixon, West recounts the idiosyncrasies, leadership style, and ambitions of each
First Lady.
From architecture to art work, kitchen staff to social
secretaries, West tells about the daily pressures of keeping everything and
everyone working smoothly for the First Family. He maps out the guest rooms of
famous guests, the refurbishing of presidential suites and offices, and various
trips to the warehouses where the presidential furniture and dishes are stored
when not in use. He also details the massive restoration during the Truman years,
the transformation from residence to museum during Kennedy's, and the battles
to maintain the historic home under the restraints of a government budget. Lest
the reader get bogged down under lists of curtains and china, West sprinkles in
anecdotes that reveal the personality behind the portraits you studied in
elementary school.
Whether you are a
history buff or just a snoop, the accounts are fascinating. You'll have your
own private peek into the daily life of our most iconic American families who
lived in a time before presidential pets could tweet.
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