Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies

Mamie liked to be set apart and stood on a platform so that crowds of admirers could see her. A “spectacular” (125) hostess, Mamie ensured a maximum level of pomp and circumstance in formal entertainment at the White House. She arranged seating assignments so that she and the president sat at the head of the table like royalty. She and the president were openly affectionate toward one another, oblivious to the presence of servants.

President Eisenhower was much more formal in his official duties than his predecessor. He worked regular hours and engaged in relaxing activities when not working. For example, he painted and golfed. When enjoying those activities, he hated to be interrupted. Unlike Truman, who played poker with friends, President Eisenhower played bridge with Wall Street lawyers and business executives. A big relief came in his official duties when the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953. West notes that the new president was quick to laughter and anger.

Typically taking breakfast in bed, Mamie Eisenhower was not an early riser. With the budget for the White House exhausted from the recent renovations done during the Truman administration, Mamie improvised and “made a career of the President’s house” (132). She treated it as her property, not the government’s. Especially bothered by footprints on rugs, she had the staff brush them, and she banished Heidi, the president’s dog, to their farmhouse when the dog had an accident on one of the rugs.

Mamie brought her mother, Mrs. Doud, to live with the family at the White House. Mrs. Doud did not insert herself into White House affairs. A lover of the color pink, Mamie had more clothes than other first ladies. She also had a good sense of humor. Once, she thought that she was applying Vicks to her nose in the night. In reality, it was ink. West was called to sort out the mess and Mamie, covered in ink, was laughing. She had gotten the president covered in ink as well.

Without the extraordinary wealth of some presidential families, Mamie was a bargain hunter and made sure that leftover food was put to good use. While she was demanding at times, she was generous to the White House employees. She not only bestowed compliments upon them after a good performance but also took an interest in their personal lives. She sent birthday cards, for example, and gave gifts for Christmas. For West, she sent presents to his children as well. Partly to ensure a strong performance, she additionally gave the kitchen staff time off after events.

The Eisenhowers had two children, one of whom died at the age of three. The other, John, was married to Barbara, and they had four children, David, Barbara, Susan, and Mary Jean. The youngest grandchild, Mary Jean, was born in 1955 while Eisenhower was president. The family came to visit frequently on the weekends. West noted that the grandchildren were well behaved and enjoyed swimming in the White House pool. The presidential retreat in Virginia, then named Shangri-La, was renamed Camp David after the president’s grandson. Mamie’s sister Ellen also visited the White House. However, Mamie made sure that only she made requests for her family so as not to take advantage of governmental privileges.

The president and his wife were “fascinated” (140) with television. The first president to hold a televised press conference, Eisenhower benefitted from the new medium. His wife loved soap operas. After dinner, the Eisenhowers watched movies, with the president being a fan of westerns. They were strict about alcohol, with no liquor ever served before six o’clock in the evening and then only wine was allowed with dinner at seven o’clock. The president additionally enjoyed reading books, and he took pride in the White House putting green.

In Gettysburg, the Eisenhowers owned a large farmhouse, which they began remodeling after they came to the White House. The major renovation lasted three years. While the Eisenhowers paid for the work, West spent considerable time at the Gettysburg house, ensuring that the workers followed Mamie’s instructions and did not damage the rugs or draperies in the process. When the renovation was completed in July 1955, the president and his wife hosted a party for all those from the White House who worked on the project, as well as their spouses. With its completion, the first couple spent almost every weekend and summer vacations at Gettysburg. The president was relieved in December 1954 when Senator McCarthy was finally condemned. McCarthy’s attacks on the US Army angered the president. On September 23, 1955, the president suffered a heart attack while in Colorado.

After breaking the news over the phone to West about the president’s heart attack, Mamie called every day with updates. On November 11, the president returned to the White House and looked healthy. After a few days, he then went to Gettysburg to recover. The social season was canceled in January. Under doctor’s orders, the president spent more time painting and golfing and traveled to Georgia to relax as well. West comments that Mamie continued to celebrate the change of seasons at the White House with decorations. At Christmas, she especially “outdid herself” (154). The president and his wife spent almost every Christmas in the White House with their grandchildren.

After announcing his candidacy for re-election on February 29, 1956, the president campaigned throughout the spring and appeared healthy. The staff was, therefore, shocked when an ambulance came for the president on June 9, 1956. An attack of ileitis, or inflammation of the small intestine, caused the president to require immediate surgery and remain in the hospital for weeks. Throughout the ordeal, Mamie called with reports on his health and to check on the operation of the White House. Recovered, the president reiterated his desire to run for re-election on July 1 and then easily won the Republican nomination. He went on to win the presidency by 27 million votes. While the vote indicated his popularity, it also was attributed to the public’s fear of change given international events, such as a revolution in Hungary and an invasion of Egypt. In January, the president was inaugurated twice, first in a small ceremony on Sunday, January 20, and again at the Capitol with all the fanfare the next day.

During the campaign, the Eisenhowers visited Iowa. Before they left, West mentioned to Crim that he wished he could go there to see his father. Crim, in turn, told Mamie. As a result, West and his wife found themselves taking their first ride in a presidential plane. Crim announced his intention to retire following the election. West was then promoted to chief usher.

In October 1957, the Queen of England and Prince Philip came for a state visit. Following one function in the East Room, the staff was to immediately remove furnishings and set the room up for a later function. On the cue of silence, the carpenters were to enter the room. Because the Queen had a soft voice, West was aghast when he heard the door knob rattle while the Queen and guests were still in the room. Fortunately, the door was locked, and disaster was averted.

The president weathered the various crises in the fall of 1957, such as the Soviet launch of Sputnik, the first human-made satellite to orbit the earth, and school integration. Yet he suffered a mild stroke or cerebral hemorrhage on November 25. He insisted that Mamie proceed that evening with a dinner for the King of Morocco with Vice President Nixon presiding. After a jolt to the stock market following this news, the economy recovered, as did the president.

The next three years brought several challenges, including a worsening of tension in the Cold War despite the president’s efforts to calm that relationship and a strike in the steel industry. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles died in 1958, and Eisenhower’s trusted assistant, Sherman Adams, was forced to resign. The president campaigned for Nixon in the fall of 1960, but the Democrat, John F. Kennedy, won that election. Instead of a party for Nixon, Mamie organized a debut for her two nieces on November 25, which, per West, was “like a page from the past” (169). She then focused on having the most beautiful Christmas at the White House, which she was very sad to leave the following month.

West highlights the many changes during the Eisenhower administration, such as television, air conditioning, and jet planes. The staff had grown to 72 but other departments and military services also provided service to the White House. The Air Force transported the president, for example.