National First Ladies' Library & Museum

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

National First Ladies' Library & Museum We preserve, promote and educate about the significant role of the First Ladies of the USA. So.

Your tour will begin at the Research & Education Center at 205 Market Ave. You will purchase your spot on a tour there and view an ever changing self-guided exhibit related to First Ladies. You will then be directed to the Saxton/McKinley House where you will be taken on a guided tour of Ida Saxton McKinley's ancestral home.

📆 October 18, 1931—American inventor Thomas Edison passes away at 84.He was a frequent guest at the White House for near...
10/19/2026

📆 October 18, 1931—American inventor Thomas Edison passes away at 84.

He was a frequent guest at the White House for nearly five decades, and was a friend of many First Families—he even went camping with President Warren Harding in 1922! 🏕️

Some of his notable encounters with the First Ladies happened in:

📣 1878—First Lady Lucy Hayes witnesses Edison’s demonstration of the phonograph during his late-night visit to the White House.

⚡️ 1891—Electric wiring is installed in the White House by Edison himself. Afraid of getting shocked, President Harrison and First Lady Caroline Harrison refuse to operate the switches.

🍁 1924—Edison befriends President Coolidge and pays a visit to him and First Lady Grace Coolidge at their estate in Vermont along with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. (📷 Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library)

💡 1929—President Hoover and First Lady Lou Hoover attend a Golden Jubilee for Edison’s invention of the light bulb, hosted by Henry Ford. The Hoovers es**rt Edison to the party, and their arrival kicks off the celebration. (📷 The Henry Ford, Dearborn, Michigan)

🎗️ In 1974, only a few weeks after her husband became President, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer. 🗞️ Well-kn...
10/18/2026

🎗️ In 1974, only a few weeks after her husband became President, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer.

🗞️ Well-known for her open nature and willingness to discuss “taboo” topics, Betty publicly disclosed her diagnosis and treatment plan via press releases and televised conferences.

It made a world of difference! 💫

📣📈 Her candor triggered an artificial increase in breast cancer diagnoses known as the “Betty Blip”—not because breast cancer was more prevalent, but because Betty’s courageous confrontation of the disease encouraged American women to prioritize their health without shame.

🩻 More than ever before, women conducted regular self-exams and committed to routine check-ups.

Betty wasn’t the first woman to speak out about her diagnosis, but she was one of the most prominent. Former child star Shirley Temple had also made her diagnosis public around that time—making the 1970s the decade that broke the social and media taboos about breast cancer. ⛓️‍💥

🏥 Two days after her initial doctor’s visit, Betty underwent a radical mastectomy. While still in the hospital, the President presented her a signed football from a recent game between Washington and Denver.

🏈 Betty surprised everyone present by drawing back her arm and throwing a pass to her husband—a move which would have been immensely difficult following the brutal procedure which often required years of recovery and pain management.

✨ Betty’s legacy as a breast cancer survivor and activist lives on each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a nation-wide push for research funding, information sharing, and advocacy.

📷 Betty recovering from her radical
Mastectomy at Bethesda Naval Hospital (National Archives)

✨ What begins as a history lesson can become a lesson in what’s possible.💙 By sharing the stories of our nation’s First ...
10/16/2026

✨ What begins as a history lesson can become a lesson in what’s possible.

💙 By sharing the stories of our nation’s First Ladies, we help young women discover role models, build confidence, and imagine their own potential as future leaders. Your membership helps bring these meaningful experiences to life and inspires the next generation to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose.

Will you help us inspire America’s young leaders? 👉 Become a member and make a difference: www.firstladies.org/donate

•

📷 Image of Eleanor Roosevelt courtesy of FDR Presidential Library & Museum (edited)

A monumental moment for Ohio women’s history! 💜On October 14, 2026, the Ohio Women’s Monument was unveiled, the first mo...
10/16/2026

A monumental moment for Ohio women’s history! 💜

On October 14, 2026, the Ohio Women’s Monument was unveiled, the first monument on the Ohio Statehouse grounds dedicated to Ohio women’s history. Its bronze figures honor generations of women whose leadership, determination, and advocacy for equality helped shape our state and nation.

We were proud to have members of our team representing the National First Ladies Library & Museum at this historic celebration. Our work centers on ensuring women’s stories are preserved, shared, and recognized as essential to American history. Seeing those contributions take a permanent place at our Statehouse is a meaningful reminder of why that mission matters.

Here’s to honoring the women who led the way and inspiring those who will follow.

Happy 1️⃣5️⃣4️⃣th birthday to First Lady Edith Wilson, born on this day in 1872! 🎂🎉Today, we celebrate Edith for her uns...
10/15/2026

Happy 1️⃣5️⃣4️⃣th birthday to First Lady Edith Wilson, born on this day in 1872! 🎂🎉

Today, we celebrate Edith for her unshakeable dedication to her husband—in sickness and in health ❤️‍🩹—and for redefining women’s political ability and influence in America. 🇺🇸

✨ First Lady, steward, U.S. chief executive, the first woman President…Edith Wilson has been called many things. The exact nature of her role has long been debated, but she was undeniably a First Lady unlike any other.

🦽 President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke in late 1919 that left him partially paralyzed and nearly blind, leaving him bedridden for the remainder of his time in office.

Edith helped reduce his mental strain by acting as a “steward” for the office of President—namely, deciding which were crucial enough to require the President’s attention. ⚠️

🏛️ Though she adamantly denied making official decisions on public affairs, her influence over the President’s office was unprecedented.

📜🗳️ Women had only been granted voting rights less than six months before the President’s illness, making Edith’s influence not only greater than any First Lady before her—it was far greater than any woman’s in U.S. history!

🎸 Why did a White House menu for the former Prime Minister of Japan feature guitars next to the American and Japanese fl...
10/15/2026

🎸 Why did a White House menu for the former Prime Minister of Japan feature guitars next to the American and Japanese flags? 🇺🇸🇯🇵

🤩 This small detail reveals a much larger story—Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan is a HUGE Elvis fan!

During the visit, the President took him on a trip to Memphis where they visit Graceland. During lunch at the Rendezvous, the Prime Minister jumped on stage and sang along as the band played the King's hit "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You." 🎵

***

🤔💡 What other stories can you learn from White House menus? Find out tomorrow at Third Thursday: From the Kitchen to the Heartland!

You'll discover what food tells us about the lives of America's First Families and their guests as you explore a special display of historic White House menus from our collection. 📋

🥘💖 Delicious food (and history!) tastes better when shared, which is why we're offering a 2-for-1 ticket deal so you can bring a friend at no additional cost!

And did we mention there will be complimentary w**e and cheese? 👀

📅 Thursday, October 15
🕕 W**e & Cheese 6:00 pm EDT | Program Start 6:30 pm EDT
📍 First Ladies National Historic Site
🎟️ $25 (Buy One, Get One Free—bring a friend on us!)
👉 Reserve your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/third-thursday-from-the-kitchen-to-the-heartland-tickets-1995996639680?aff=facebook

📷 George W. Bush Presidential Library
First Lady Laura Bush with the State Dinner table settings for the Prime Minister of Japan.
Close-up of the State Dinner table settings and menu.
Hor d'ouevres served at the Dinner.

📷 National Archives
BBQ menu for the Prime Minister's visit to Memphis.

🏛️🧱 October 13, 1792—The cornerstone of the White House is laid in Washington, D.C.—the nation’s new capital!🏡 Construct...
10/13/2026

🏛️🧱 October 13, 1792—The cornerstone of the White House is laid in Washington, D.C.—the nation’s new capital!

🏡 Construction would take eight years, and it wasn’t until 1800 that President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams moved into the still-unfinished residence, making Abigail the first presidential spouse to call the White House home.

📜 Upon arriving, Abigail shared a wish for the generations of leaders who would follow: “May none but wise men ever rule under this roof!”

✨ More than 230 years later, the White House remains both the home of the President and a symbol of the American presidency. Abigail’s words are a timeless reminder of the responsibility that comes with the office—and the hopes we place in those who occupy it. 🇺🇸

📷 Daguerreotype of the White House exterior during the Polk administration, c. 1846. It is the oldest known image of the White House. (Library of Congress)

🌎 Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples...
10/12/2026

🌎 Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

🏛️ 🪶 Did you know there’s a First Lady that can trace her ancestry to Pocahontas and her father, Powhatan?

🌿 Pocahontas’ story has become mythologized over the centuries, but First Lady Edith Wilson’s family lineage connects her back to the real person—making her a descendant of one of the most recognizable figures in early American history!

📜 Edith’s ancestry offers a fascinating connection between the history of Indigenous peoples and the history of the White House—a reminder that the stories behind our nation’s past are often more complex than the legends we inherit.

•

📷
3️⃣ Edith and President Wilson, 1920 (Library of Congress)
4️⃣ 1607 depiction of Powhatan from John Smith’s Map of Virginia
5️⃣ 1616 engraving depicting Pocahontas by Simon van de Passe (National Portrait Gallery)
6️⃣ 1648 portrait of a young man, possibly Thomas Rolfe
7️⃣ Portrait of John Bolling, c. 1705-1725 (Muscarelle Museum of Art)
8️⃣ Portrait of John Bolling Jr., c. 1735-1744 (Muscarelle Museum of Art)
9️⃣ William Bolling, father of Edith Wilson (University of Virginia Special Collections)

Happy 1️⃣4️⃣2️⃣nd birthday to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, born on this day in 1884! 🎂🎉🎗️ Today we remember Eleanor for...
10/11/2026

Happy 1️⃣4️⃣2️⃣nd birthday to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, born on this day in 1884! 🎂🎉

🎗️ Today we remember Eleanor for her lifelong advocacy for human rights, her dedication to public service, and for redefining the role of First Lady.

🌎💫 Dubbed “First Lady of the World” by President Truman for her human rights work, Eleanor is one of America’s most enduring beloved First Ladies.

🪖💪 First Lady during World War II, Eleanor used her position to encourage women to support the war effort by learning trades and working in factories.

✈️ Eleanor traveled to the warfront in Europe and the South Pacific to visit American troops. Her visits were well received and re-energized American soldiers, building morale when it was desperately needed.

✨ Eleanor Roosevelt is the longest serving First Lady—serving 12 years between 1933 to 1945—and the first to hold government positions in her own right, serving as:
🥇 1st Chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (1946-1952)
🏆 1st U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights under President Truman (1947-1953)
🏅 1st Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women under President Kennedy (1961-1962)

📅 October 10, 1973—Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns from office after pleading no contest to charges of federal tax ev...
10/11/2026

📅 October 10, 1973—Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns from office after pleading no contest to charges of federal tax evasion. His resignation would set off a chain of events that forever changed presidential history. 🇺🇸

🏛️ Just two days later, President Richard Nixon will nominate House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to become the nation’s 40th Vice President. Nixon’s own resignation less than a year later will make Ford President—and Betty Ford First Lady!

📣 Betty Ford quickly became known for her outspoken advocacy for women’s rights, publicly supporting the Equal Rights Amendment and encouraging more women to serve in senior government positions.

👀 But what if Agnew had never resigned and his wife, Judy, had become First Lady? Based on her time as Second Lady, she likely would have approached the role of First Lady differently.

Judy preferred to stay out of politics and embraced more traditional views of women’s roles—famously describing herself as having “majored in marriage” 👩‍🎓💍—and dismissed the women’s liberation movement.

✨ Both women brought their own perspectives to public life, but one resignation changed which of them would help shape the role of First Lady during a pivotal era in American history!

📷
1️⃣ Vice President Ford’s swearing in ceremony, 1973 (National Archives)
2️⃣ Second Lady Judy Agnew holds a bridal shower for Tricia Nixon, 1971 (Library of Congress)
3️⃣ The Fords es**rt the Nixons across the White House lawn, 1974 (National Archives)
4️⃣ Swearing in of President Gerald Ford, 1974 (National Archives)

Address

205 Market Avenue S
Canton, OH
44702

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13304520876

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when National First Ladies' Library & Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to National First Ladies' Library & Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category