Dolley Madison, the fashionable wife of President James Madison, was the most female hostess in Washington from 1809 to 1817. Without a doubt, she threw the best parties in town.
What would she say about President Donald Trump’s ballroom? She would say, “Let’s squeeze in,” which was the nickname for her parties because they were packed with people. She would welcome the addition and understand its need.
In her day, it was dangerous to invite congressmen and senators from both political parties to a party to the White House. President Thomas Jefferson turned away from it. Why? Duels. As Americans today have seen an increase in political violence, it is easy to feel the horror Americans experienced when they heard of a duel. Men challenged each other to a duel where each fired a shot at the other to resolve a conflict.
Vice President Aaron Burr infamously shot Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. The scandal was particularly bitter for Dolley. After all, Burr had introduced her to then-Rep. Madison years earlier. She wanted to change the culture and get rid of dueling.
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Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755–1828) painted first lady Dolley Payne Madison, 1804, oil on canvas, in The White House Collection. (VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images)
Despite the risk, Dolley was not afraid to invite members of opposing political parties to the president’s house for one special reason. Ladies. By remembering the ladies and inviting women to these events, she ensured that men would be on their best behavior. They wouldn’t dare challenge each other to a duel in the presence of ladies.
Dolley’s open house celebrations on Wednesday were much more than just fun, even though there was plenty of ice cream and goodies. These events served an important purpose; one we need today.
By bringing congressmen, senators, the press, and ordinary Joes and Janes to the White House, she gave her husband the opportunity to interact with them informally. This way, Madison was able to hear their views on various policy areas in a relaxed environment. This was an invaluable gift. These parties also gave members of Congress an excuse to talk informally with those in the other party. Sometimes attendees met a celebrity. The acclaimed author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Washington Irving, was occasionally present, as was future President General William Henry Harrison, whose Western daring made him the hero of the moment.
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At that time, newspapers used the term “White House” as a pejorative or negative. It was a way to harass or troll the president. Burr famously threatened to tear down that “White House” and send Congress packing. One journalist, on the other hand, was so impressed with Dolley’s games that he made the White House name positive in the newspapers. He believed that the ‘White House, because that’s what it’s called here’ was a good reflection of American ideals. He was right. The name stuck.
Dolley would appreciate Trump’s construction challenges. Early in her husband’s first term, Dolley renovated the interior of the White House with a professional architect, Benjamin Latrobe. Together they created a stage, a suitable backdrop to manage people’s affairs and have fun. She decorated the oval room, the current Blue Room, in red. Today’s Red Room was Dolley’s music room, decorated in her favorite color: sunny yellow. Her portrait hangs today in the Red Room.
Dolley would certainly understand Trump’s need and vision for a larger space. Today, America has 100 senators, up from 34. Back then, there were fewer than 200 members of the House of Representatives, but now there are more than 400. The East Room fills up quickly during these White House events. Seating is limited. Hence the need for more space.
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It’s a bit shocking to see demolition photos of the East Wing today. But the current opposition to Trump comes from people who, just a year ago, were calling on Americans to build back better. That’s literally what Trump is doing to the White House. Dolley would understand this too. After all, in 1814 the British army marched into Washington and burned both the U.S. Capitol and the White House, along with all government buildings except the post office and the patent office. She rescued the entire painting of George Washington from the State Dining Room. It hangs in the East Room today.
When her stage disappeared in 1814, no house could compare. This didn’t stop them. Thanks to President Madison and Dolley, they won a political battle with members of Congress, who wanted to move the capital to Philadelphia. They devised a plan to rebuild both the Capitol and the White House by relying on different architects to speed up the process.
A rendering by McCrery Architects provided by the White House of the new ballroom. (The White House)
After the fire in the White House, Dolley took stock of her life. As much as she loved to entertain, she decided to wear a new hat, or in her case, a fashionable Regency-era tiara with turban feathers. Dolley did something no first lady had done before when her husband was president. She became the first wife of a president to perform public service.
She expanded the role and expectations for the president’s wife. Dolley started an orphanage for girls that still exists today with a different focus under the name Hillcrest Children and Family Center. At that time, if children did not have a father, they were considered orphans, even if their mother was still alive. The orphanage received a charter from Congress and the ladies of Washington City pooled their resources to launch and operate the orphanage. The effort was a noble cause.
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Americans today can see echoes of her philanthropy, especially its focus on children. First lady Melania Trump recently announced that she was working with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reunite Ukrainian children with their families. Prioritizing the next generation was and is important regardless of the era.
By bringing congressmen, senators, the press, and ordinary Joes and Janes to the White House, she gave her husband the opportunity to interact with them informally.
The wailing and gnashing of teeth that critics unleash in President Trump’s ballroom is nothing more than mindless noise from elite group thinkers who have no will of their own.
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When Dolley Madison died, she was called “the nation’s first lady.” This is where the term ‘first lady’ comes from, and in this way Dolley was the first, first lady.
If she were alive today to witness the construction of Trump’s ballroom, she would say, “Pass the blow and fire up the Marine Band.” It’s time to bring people together, one party at a time.
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