I’ve been working at the Herbert Hoover Library for more than twenty years. I’ve given hundreds of museum tours to groups. A featured aspect of our exhibits are Belgian flour sacks given to the Hoovers as gifts of thanks for leading food relief during World War I. We have 366 such sacks, with four or … Continue reading What You Learn After You Know it all is What Matters
My three brothers-in-law are poets and songwriters. I am constantly amazed at their verbal dexterity in turning the commonplace into art. It is from them that I first learned of found poetry. Found poetry is a poem consisting exclusively of an external text, fashioned into a poem. It is sort of a literary collage, making … Continue reading Herbert Hoover, Found Poetry and Responsible Citizenship
Several years ago I began a series of blogs about Herbert Hoover and his connections to 20th Century American Presidents. Somewhere along the line, my train of thought was derailed, and I faltered in my task. Now I aim to get back on track. In my last blog, I wrote about Hoover and Truman. Rather … Continue reading Hoover and 20th Century Presidents: Ronald Reagan
Another school year is ending across America. This reminds me of all the debts that I owe to many teachers. I’m sure that others share this sentiment. Herbert Hoover held teachers in high esteem, writing an article ‘Thank You Miss Gray’ for Readers’ Digest, and giving an address titled ‘Education as a National Asset.’ This … Continue reading Another School Year Comes to an End
The Hoover Museum just opened its temporary exhibit, ‘Deliverance: America and the Famine in Soviet Russia, 1921-1923.’ In walking through, I recalled that I’d once seen some letters in the Lewis Strauss papers which discussed famine relief in Russia and Ukraine. Eventually, I remembered the name of the correspondent. Boris Bogen, coordinating the work of … Continue reading One Hundred Years Ago in the Ukraine
Herbert Hoover won the 1928 election in a landslide over Democrat Al Smith of New York. Four years later Hoover lost the 1932 election in a landslide to New York Democrat Franklin Roosevelt. The intervening four years marked the onset of the Great Depression. Ever pragmatic, Hoover knew that the American people would place their … Continue reading Herbert Hoover on Public Acceptance of the President
Seeing the February 4th friendship postings on our Facebook page last week, I was reminded of a durable friendship forged between the Hoovers and the Milbanks. The connections between Jeremiah/Katherine [Kitty] Milbank and Herbert/Lou Hoover are extensive--both broad and deep. The families often socialized together. They dined, shared holidays [especially Christmas after Lou passed away], … Continue reading Hoovers and Milbanks: An Enduring Friendship
by Matthew Schaefer In the course of writing serial posts on Herbert Hoover’s activities during World War I, it occurred to this Hoover archivist that he was giving short shrift to other actors with agency in the drama. To correct this oversight, today’s blog will respond to Abigail Adams’ challenge to not forget the ladies. … Continue reading War Conditions in Belgium and England
Aside from August 10th, his birthday, Herbert Hoover gave more significant speeches on November 11th than on any other day in the calendar. Acting on behalf of President Coolidge, Hoover gave his first Armistice Day address in 1924 to the American Legion, two years before Congress officially named November 11th Armistice Day. Hoover spoke each … Continue reading Hoover. Armistice Day and Veterans’ Day
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lewis L. Strauss had much in common. Both began their public service during the First World War. Each served when America was drawn into World War II. Both rose to national office after the war. Both were Republicans committed to American victory in the Cold War. Much to his chagrin, Eisenhower’s … Continue reading Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lewis L. Strauss: A Bull____ Story
