By Jennifer R. Demuth
Those who want to know why a visit to the National First Ladies’ Library (housed in two buildings at 205 S. Market Avenue & 331 S. Market Avenue, Canton) should be included as part of any trip to the Ohio’s Amish Country region could note the words of former first lady and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Her remarks upon the opening of the national historic site in June 1998 illustrate the importance of learning about the first ladies, from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama.
“The American people have made the role of the first lady one of the most important jobs in the country. It is a tribute to American women that, coming from different social and economic backgrounds, from many different geological regions, and with diverse educational preparation, each first lady served our country so well. Each left her own mark, and each teaches us something special about our history,” remarked Clinton.
In fact, a visit to the National First Ladies’ Library will reveal many fascinating facts. For example, not all U.S. first ladies were actually wives of the presidents. In the case of past presidents whose wives had preceded them in death or who had no spouse, daughters and even nieces filled the role of first lady.
Located in two beautifully restored historic buildings, the National First Ladies’ Library is the only national institution dedicated to educating the public about the impact and contributions of our nation’s first ladies. The library site consists of the Saxton-McKinley House, formerly the family home of Ida Saxton-McKinley and also the First Ladies’ National Historic Site. Visitors to the home learn about the lives of the McKinleys. Just one block to the north of the house is the education and research center which features exhibit rooms (exhibits focus on themes relating to first ladies’ causes and change about every six months), a research library, conference space and a Victorian theatre. Tours of the exhibits and the Saxton-McKinley House are available for the general public and schoolchildren. Special events such as symposiums, author lectures and book signings are held throughout the year making the site much more than just a library.
“We change our exhibits and programs often, so there’s always something new to see on return visits,” shared Patricia Krider, executive director of the National First Ladies’ Library. “Visitors are impressed with their surroundings and are also surprised at the number and variety of artifacts (clothing, personal items, letters and photographs) that we have in our exhibits. Many come in with the impression that few, if any, first ladies prior to Eleanor Roosevelt did anything worthwhile but leave with the knowledge that all first ladies have contributed to our nation’s history in their own way.”
In addition to all the interesting exhibits at the site, the National First Ladies’ Library has also collected most current and out-of-print books by and about first ladies, and copies of first ladies’ letters, speeches and manuscripts dealing with the major social issues of their time. The site has also established the first and only online bibliography of America’s first ladies and the first and only Web site devoted to the history of them, found at www.firstladies.org.
Collectors will appreciate the items available at the National First Ladies’ Library gift shop. The shop sells unique first ladies’ Christmas ornaments and flowers of the first ladies china, featuring the flower associated with each first lady.
Tours of the National First Ladies’ Library begin at the education and research center and take place Tuesdays through Saturdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the morning, and at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Tickets are $7 for adults; $6 for seniors, and $5 for children. For more information or to make reservations for a group tour for six or more people, call 330-452-0876, ext. 320 or visit www.firstladies.org.
Perhaps most interesting about a visit to the National First Ladies’ Library is the opportunity to hear what the first ladies themselves thought of the position. One of the early first ladies, Sarah Polk, once declared, “If I get into the White House, I will neither keep house nor make butter.” Bess Truman noted, “We are not any one of us happy to be where we are but there’s nothing to be done about it except to do our best and forget about the sacrifices and many unpleasant things that bob up.” Maybe Lady Bird Johnson summed it up best when she said, “The first lady is, and always has been, an unpaid public servant elected by one person, her husband.”
