First Ladies
Why the National Zoo Is Saying Goodbye to Its Giant Pandas
Staff remain hopeful that members of the threatened species will be back in Washington in the near future
Why President Warren G. Harding's Sudden Death Sparked Rumors of Murder and Suicide
The commander in chief's unexpected death in office 100 years ago fueled decades of conspiracy theories but was most likely the result of a heart attack
Did Martha Washington Have a Black Grandson?
Likely the child of Martha's son from her first marriage, William Costin used his position to advocate for D.C.'s free Black community
How Edith Wilson Kept Herself—and Her Husband—in the White House
A new book about the first lady reveals how she and the ailing President Woodrow Wilson silenced their critics
Jill Biden's Inaugural Attire Is on View at the Smithsonian
The day and evening ensembles are now the centerpiece of the American History Museum's popular "First Ladies" exhibition
A Brief History of White House Weddings
Naomi Biden's nuptials will mark the 19th wedding held at the presidential seat of power
From a White House Wedding to a Pet Snake, Alice Roosevelt's Escapades Captivated America
Theodore Roosevelt's eldest daughter won the public's adoration with her rebellious antics
Who Are the Artists Behind the New Obama Portraits?
Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung add their unique pieces to the White House's collection
The True History Behind Showtime's 'The First Lady'
The new series dramatizes the White House years of Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama
Why Historians Should Reevaluate Mary Todd Lincoln's Oft-Misunderstood Grief
A new exhibition at President Lincoln's Cottage connects the first lady's experiences to those of modern bereaved parents
Secretary Lonnie Bunch on What Makes for a Great Museum Exhibition
A well-curated show makes the unknown feel familiar—and reveals the unexpected
Trove of Presidential Memorabilia, From Washington's Hair to JFK's Sweater, Is Up for Sale
RR Auction is offering a collection of nearly 300 artifacts, including a signed photo of Abraham Lincoln and a pen used by FDR
Why Martha Washington's Life Is So Elusive to Historians
A gown worn by the first First Lady reveals a dimension of her nature that few have been aware of
Meet Amanda Gorman, the U.S.' Youngest Inaugural Poet
The 22-year-old revised her original composition, "The Hill We Climb," in the aftermath of the January 6 storming of the Capitol
The Top Ten Online Exhibitions of 2020
From a Smithsonian show on first ladies to Mexican muralists, Rembrandt and the making of the Met, these were some of our favorite virtual experiences
How History Records the Peculiar Role of America’s First Ladies
A new exhibition, "Every Eye is Upon Me," pays tribute to the ever-changing role of the women who hold this unelected office
Why Eleanor Roosevelt's Example Matters More Than Ever
A new biography shows how decency, determination and generosity of heart can change the world
What Happened When Woodrow Wilson Came Down With the 1918 Flu?
The president contracted influenza while attending peace talks in Paris, but the nation was never told the full, true story
Smithsonian Curators Help Rescue the Truth From These Popular Myths
From astronaut ice-cream to Plymouth Rock, a group of scholars gathered at the 114th Smithsonian Material Culture Forum to address tall tales and myths
New Book Chronicles First Lady Rose Cleveland’s Love Affair With Evangeline Simpson Whipple
Rose and her longtime partner are buried side by side in the Italian town where they once shared a home
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