by Thomas Schwartz Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover shared an interest in mystery novels. Popular mystery writers appear with frequency among the titles in their personal library, especially at Camp Rapidan. One of the first women to excel in the genre was Mary Roberts Rinehart, who was also a personal friend of the Hoovers. Among … Continue reading Mary Roberts Rinehart, Queen of the Mystery Novels
by Spencer Howard One of the most interesting documents at the Hoover Library is a handwritten, five-page personal letter from King Albert of Belgium to Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover. A transcript of the entire letter can be found at https://hoover.archives.gov/KingAlbertltr.pdf. King Albert wrote to ask Hoover to intervene with the U.S. Shipping Board on behalf … Continue reading A Letter from a King
by Spencer Howard The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum presented a program by art conservator Barry Bauman entitled "The Demise of Mary Lincoln: An Artistic Conspiracy." In short, Mr. Bauman discovered that a painting that had hung for years in the Illinois governor's mansion, which was believed to be an original portrait of Mrs. … Continue reading Lincoln Portrait Fraud
by Matthew Schaefer Every spring, certain recursive features appear on the American landscape—crocuses, April showers, Easter bonnets, and elders addressing students on college campuses. On May 16th 1920, Lou Henry Hoover made her contribution to this annual tradition, giving a short address to the women of Bryn Mawr College. As was her wont, Lou Hoover … Continue reading Spring Diversions
by Matthew Schaefer Lou Henry Hoover read her eulogy for Lindon Bates, Jr. at a memorial service held in early June 1915 at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Bates went down with the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915. Hundreds attended his memorial service. Many prominent figures spoke: the President of the borough of … Continue reading Lou Henry Hoover’s Eulogy for Lindon Bates, Jr.
By Thomas F. Schwartz One of Hoover’s fondest memories of being a student at Stanford University were the two summers he spent working with the United States Geological Survey in the Nevada High Sierra. Most of the work required riding on horseback to navigate the rugged trails. Hoover recalled: “In these long mountain rides over … Continue reading Hoover and His Camel
by Matthew Schaefer The relationship between successive Presidents can sometimes be contentious regardless of political affiliation. These relationships have been given due attention by historians. The relationship between successive First Ladies has garnered far less attention, as historians have focused attention on First Ladies individually. The relationship between Grace Coolidge and Lou Henry Hoover merits … Continue reading Bleeding Heart and Lily
by Hoover Archivist, Matthew Schaefer In honor of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover's birthday, March 29, 1874 At 5:15 in the evening of Sunday, November 27th, 1932, First Lady Lou Hoover gave an address, ‘Women’s Place in the Present Emergency,’ over the NBC national radio network. The speech was part of a series of weekly … Continue reading Women’s Place in the Present Emergency
By: Matthew Schaefer, Hoover Archivist The meeting of the Iowa World War I Centennial Committee reminded this Hoover archivist that it was time to pen the monthly installment of the Herbert Hoover saga. When we left, Hoover was struggling to raise funds in America for the Commission for Relief in Belgium. German submarines were exacting … Continue reading Herbert Hoover and the Centennial of American Entry into World War I: Episode II
By Thomas Schwartz John Wade Gordon stood along a hot, dusty California highway not far from Petaluma hoping to hitch a ride to Sausalito ferry about forty miles south. Gordon had relocated to California from Memphis, Tennessee is search of better prospects. It was August 24, 1933. Hungry and in need of employment, Gordon hoped … Continue reading Hitching a Ride with a President
