Evening star., 1942-08-09
ChiIdren's Museum Exhibits
Models Of White House Wives
Not Only Costumes, but Features
And Physical Characteristics Shown

as well as something Of the historic
atmosphere of their time.
Miss Mclean has prepared a
printed caption which accompanies
each model In it is set forth some
unusual bit of characterization,
which lends additional interest to
each. In most instances the life
span of the subject is indicated. al
though in some cases the year Of
birth is missing.
This exhibition. never before
shown in Washington. is the result
of 10 years study by Miss Mclean.
She has travelled thousands of miles
in search of information or the ver-
ification of some chance bit of data.
Private letters, oil paintings, da-
guerreotypes, photographs and the
files of libraries and old newspapers
have also been consulted.
Miss McLeans modelling skill goes
back to early childhood. Curiously
enough, though, she had no par
ticular interest in historical or bio
graphical data, until a trip to Mount
Vernon about 10 years ago. led her
to inquire into the personality of
Martha Washington. Out of this
interest evolved the first Of her
models of White House yves, a
series that now includes all of
them through Mrs. Franklin Delano
Roosevelt.
Mrs. Washington Portrayed.
Martha Washington is charmingly
portrayed in a fluted mob cap and
an exquisitely fashioned model of
one of her favorite dresses, a pink
howered silk displaying the wide
bouffant skirt OF the period. Miss
McLean's caption has this to say
about the first First Lady: Mrs.
Washington spoke of herself as,
Cheerful as a cricket, busy as a
bee.' She could be seen frequently
in her rose garden at Mount Ver-
non, caring for her favorite flower,
the rose. It was her custom to name
plants for her friends and relatives. "
The famous Dolly Madison, who
was born in 1772 and lived until
134o, undoubtedly is one of Miss Nc
Leans favorites. for she thus de-
scribes her: Dolly Madison is re-
garded by many as queen of the
First Ladies of the Land. She looked
the part in her costly silks, velvets
and jewels. She acted the part
gracious, gay, pleasing others by
making them pleased with them
selves, and into the world she spilled
sunshine which still sparkles."
Sarah Polk, modelled as sweet and
demure, was her husbands private
secretary. often corrected his manu-
scripts, and men of both parties
found her conversation stimulating
and agreeable, despite their contro-
versies with President Polk.
Margaret Taylor, among the small
group of Presidents wives who felt
themselves unequal to the social
exactions of the White House, wins
ones heart by the homely simplicity
that is portrayed in the miniature
OF the woman who unwillingly di-
rected her footsteps up the White
House stairs. For years she had
,lnflinchingly shared a cabin or a
tent, wherever her soldier husband
had led the way.
Mrs. Fillmore Established Library.
Abigail Fillmore, portrayed with
a book in her hand, established the
White House library and saw the
first bath tub and cookstove in
stalled in the Executive Mansion
during her husbands term of Office
It is said a childhood dream OF
Mary Lincolns was realized when
she became the First Lady. The
caption beside Miss McLean's model
of her says she welcomed the duties
of the White House and with gay
and light heart took up her tasks
tasks that proved heavy beyond her
strength and Judgment.
Eliza Johnson, wife of the onlv
President to face an Impeachment
trial. is dressed in homespun. A
school teacher who taught her tailor
husband to read and write, she has a
simple dignity of her own. Miss Nc
Lean quotes Mrs. Johnson's daugh-
ter as saying. with regard to theil
occupation of the White House
I'VE are plain people from the
mountains of Tennessee, brought
here through a Nations calamity
We trust too much will not be ex-
pected of us"
First wife Of President to be {
college graduate, Lucy Webb Haye.
is one OF the most elaborated,
1 gowned. Miss Mclean speaks O.
"the lingering memory of her warn
and gracious hospitality. although i
took intestinal fortitude" on tn
part of some of the official guest
to forego the wine which she refused
to serve at White House dinners.
Husband Praised Mrs. Garfield.
Lucretia Garfleld's regime close,
with a tragedy, her husbands as
sassination. The caption beneath
this model quotes his high praise O
her: II have been wonderful.
blessed in the discretion of my wife
She is one Of the coolest and bes
balanced women I ever saw"
Frances Colsom Cleveland's Whit