C-SPAN's American Political Archive: "The Working White House" Oral History

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During the month of September, American Political Archive featured interviews from "The Working White House: Two Centuries of Traditions and Memories," developed by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and the White House Historical Association. Since the early 1800s, thousands of doormen, maids, engineers, horsemen, chefs, electricians, florists, carpenters, and plumbers have worked behind the scenes to make the Executive Mansion function. The collection includes oral histories of workers who have served presidents from William Taft through George W. Bush, as they convey the occupational culture of this uniquely private yet public place.

Hear interviews from Alonzo Fields, integral behind-the-scenes staff member who assisted in planning state and social functions. Fields served as the chief butler and maitre d' at the White House for Presidents Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, & Eisenhower. We'll also hear from five members of the Ficklin family, who talk about their "family affair" working in the White House. Both sessions were recorded in June 1992 as part of the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

American Political Archive
09/09/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 1 hr.

Listen to the story of Russell Armentrout, whose service in the White House Social Entertainments Office spanned presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, and Carter. We'll also hear from Sanford Fox, part of the Social Entertainments Office during the Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford administrations. Maria Downs was White House Social Secretary from 1975-77, and worked with both Armentrout and Fox. She's now Director of Public Affairs for the White House Historical Association, and she joins us on the program to talk about the two men and the importance of social ceremony and protocol at the White House.

American Political Archive
09/16/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 1 hr. 01 mins.

Listen to Howard "Reds" Arrington, as he describes his years as a plumber whose White House career spanned the administrations of President Truman through President Carter. Also, Russell Free, an operating engineer at the White House from the Nixon through Reagan presidencies. As well as Bonner Arrington, a carpenter during the administrations of President Truman through President Reagan and Lewis Simmons, an operating engineer at the White House beginning with the Kennedy presidency and continuing through the Reagan administration. Joining us on the program to talk about this oral history project is Sally Stokes, Senior Research Specialist with the White House Historical Association.

American Political Archive
09/23/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 1 hr. 35 mins.


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