Descendants to discuss presidential
vacations at Key West retreat
Descendants of four former United States presidents are to share memories and insights about their forebears’ vacations and retreats during a presentation at Key West’s Harry S Truman Little White House, Florida’s only presidential museum.
The Presidents’ Day Weekend event is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, on the grounds of the 111 Front St. residence where former President Truman spent 11 working vacations during his 1945-1953 administration.
Scheduled presenters include Truman’s grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel; Gerald Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales; Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughter, Mary Jean Eisenhower, and Herbert Hoover’s grandson, Andrew Hoover, and great-granddaughter, Margaret Hoover.
In a panel discussion moderated by author and Little White House executive director Robert Wolz, the five are to share personal memories of their presidential ancestors’ infrequent vacations away from the cares of office. They also plan to explore the elements that make a destination or location a good vacation retreat for America’s first family, touching on Eisenhower’s Camp David, Hoover’s bonefishing in Key Largo and Ford’s Colorado ski trips among others.
“In the early days of the United States, the president left Washington for months at a time to harvest the crops or take care of family business,” said Wolz, who penned the book, “Presidents in Paradise.” about Truman’s sojourns at the Little White House, the property’s popularity with subsequent presidents and its enduring legacy.
In addition to being Truman’s working presidential headquarters, the house also has hosted former presidents Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
Tickets for the unique event are priced at $100 per person and are available at www.keystix.com or at the Little White House. Proceeds benefit the restoration fund of the not-for-profit Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and protect the Little White House State Heritage Landmark.
Event information: www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com
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Nice fundraiser but I’d like the east west roadway name changed back to Division.
american history lessons for the rich. how american.