White House Garden blooms at California University
The East Garden, now known as the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, was re-designed in the 1960's by the Kennedys' friend, Rachel Lambert mellon, and landscape architect Perry Wheeler.
President Benjamin Harrison's grandchildren rode in a cart on the South Lawn pulled by their pet goat, "His Whiskers," c. 1889-1893.
President Harry Truman (center), Admiral Chester Nimitz (left), and professional horseshoe pitcher Jimmy Risk matched skills on the South Lawn in the early 1950's
The White House Rose Garden is on of the world's most famous gardens. Located adjacent to the Oval Office, it is the scene of announcements, bill signings, and diplomatic ceremonies
The sweeping view from atop the South Portico encompasses the landscape concept of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., drawn up in the 1930's, as well as the Jefferson Memorial, which was dedicated in 1943.
By the time this idyllic south view of the White House was published in 1931, the porticoes had been built and the garden planted. Artistic license placed the parterre on the west in this etching.
In this 1977 photo, presidential daughter Amy Carter and her nephew, Jason, greet President Jimmy Carter in the tree house the president designed.
Shania Wilkes walks past the White House Garden Exhibit now on display in the Manderino Library at California University.
With mock white trellises and green vines that serve as frames, the story of “The White House Garden” takes on a lightness and beauty as the newest Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) show to be displayed at California University of Pennsylvania.
“It’s a perfect exhibit for the summer,” said Walter P. Czekaj, university exhibitions coordinator.
But make no mistake, there’s plenty of substance in this exhibit that offers a historic look at these stately grounds where treaties have been signed, receptions held for heads of state, ceremonies take place to honor American citizens and Easter eggs are rolled every spring.
“It is one of our national treasures,” said Norm Hasbrouck, special assistant to the president at California University.
The exhibition is being shown free to the public through Sept. 16 in the Manderino Library Educational Resource Center near the Manderino Gallery on the third floor of the Louis L. Manderino Library.
Information from the Smithsonian explained, “Organized with the White House Historical Association, ‘The White House Garden’ traces the development of the gardens and grounds from the plans of Pierre Charles L’Enfant to the present. Reproductions of archival materials and historic and contemporary photographs from the National Archives and Records Administration, Library of Congress, and other sources focus on the presidents and their families, White House gardeners, special gardens, the grounds’ magnificent trees, and planting plans.”
According to the exhibit panels, L’Enfant, who laid out the plans for Washington, D.C., in 1792, set aside 82 acres for a President’s Park. Of this, 18 acres make up the president’s garden that includes formal gardens, secluded natural retreats and expansive parklands. The garden includes flowers, herbs, trees and the recent addition of a vegetable garden by the first lady Michelle Obama.
The exhibition highlights the involvement of many presidents in the garden.
“Some were more horticulturists than others and took a delight in it,” said Hasbrouck.
Thomas Jefferson designed landscape plans for the garden while John Quincy Adams was the first president to be involved hands on. The garden, along with the White House, was destroyed during the War of 1812, when James Madison was president and rebuilt under President James Monroe.
Abraham Lincoln held summer receptions on the South Lawn for the public. Rutherford B. Hayes took on the tradition of the annual Easter egg roll in 1878.
The garden was used to entertain soldiers on leave during World War II. John Kennedy made the Rose Garden near the Oval Office an outdoor meeting place. Lyndon Baines and Lady Bird Johnson were the first to host state dinners outdoors, including a Texas barbecue for 7,000 high school students. Tricia Nixon, daughter of President Richard Nixon, married Edward Cox in the Rose Garden in 1971.
Michelle Obama installed the first vegetable garden since World War II when Diana Hopkins, daughter of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s adviser Harry Hopkins, planted a Victory Garden.
“I think that says a lot about the presidents that they saved and used less in times of hardship and war,” said Czekaj.
“They were setting the example instead of just saying it,” said Shania Wilkes, graduate assistant in the Office of Continuous Improvement.
Hasbrouck pointed out that many of the 500 trees that decorate the grounds are ceremonial trees, such as Andrew Jackson planting one in memory of his wife, Rachel, to President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton planting a tree in 1995 for the children killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. A panel shows an outline of these ceremonial trees and when they were planted.
A section called “At Play on the South Lawn” shows historic photographs of the presidents and their families, including an 1890 photo of President Harrison’s grandchildren on a cart pulled by a pet goat; a 1902 photo of Archie and Quentin Roosevelt “helping” the White House police; Dwight Eisenhower practicing his golf swing in 1953; and Caroline and John Kennedy having a picnic in 1963.
Czekaj said this is his favorite section, noting, “I think it shows a more personal side of the White House and presidents.”
Since it opened at Cal U, “The White House Garden” is being well received.
“The people who have come through and seen the exhibit are really excited about it,” said Czekaj. “There’s a lot of conversation because people have their own memories and they share them with one another.”
“My favorite part,” said Wilkes, “is that there’s something for everybody no matter your age or educational level. Everybody can come and get a feel for the White House garden and, as with many of the exhibits, a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to be exposed to things like this. It’s bringing art and culture and history to a place that’s convenient for them to get to. It’s very beneficial.”
Hasbrouck, Wilkes and Czekaj noted how “White House Garden” ties in with last year’s “Working White House” exhibition as both show a behind-the-scenes look at an American landmark.
Timothy M. Buchanan, executive director of special initiatives for the university, who oversees the shows, was out of town but sent a comment, saying, “I am very pleased that California University of Pennsylvania has been able to continue to provide such extraordinary outreach programming. The PREP Program (Partnership Resourcing Educational Performance) here has been a resounding success over the last five years. We are dedicated to continuing these efforts and continuing to expand our community service in the creation of these superior educational opportunities for students and life-long learners of all ages. Our participation in The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service program stands California University of Pennsylvania uniquely apart from other universities and educational institutions in our region.”
”The White House Garden” is on display from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8 a.m. to noon Fridays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. For more information on group tours or field trips, call Czekaj at 724-938-5244 or czekaj@calu.edu.