First Lady visits Decatur House~ Including the Slave Quarters..

[Cha]

First Lady Michelle Obama is surrounded by schoolchildren from Willow Springs Elementary School in Fairfax, Va., after they performed part of a play at the Decatur House, a National Trust for Historic Preservation Site and home to the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, in Washington, May 22. The events were part of an announcement of a major philanthropic effort to preserve the Decatur House

Remarks by the First Lady at Decatur House Visit

“….. For nearly 200 years, as our country has grown and evolved, the Decatur House has grown and evolved right along with it. This house has hosted parties and social events with some of our nation’s foremost leaders. It’s been a residence for secretaries of state, and at one time, it served as headquarters for the Army Subsistence Department of the Civil War.

But from the back of the house, from a structure far less lavish, comes even more history — the kinds of stories that too often get lost, the kinds of stories that are a part of so many of our families’ histories, including my own. I’m talking about the slaves here at Decatur House who spent their lives within shouting distance of one of the most powerful buildings on the planet — a bastion of freedom and justice for all.

Yet, within this very place, about 20 men and women spent their days serving those who came and went from this house and their nights jammed together on the second floor of the slave quarters, all the while holding onto a quiet hope, a quiet prayer that they, too, and perhaps their children, would someday be free. These stories of toil, and sweat, and quiet, unrelenting dignity — these stories are as vital to our national memory as any other. And so it is our responsibility as a nation to ensure that these stories are told.”

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/22/remarks-first-lady-decatur-house-visit

Michelle Obama visits slave quarters

Washington Post: Michelle Obama visited the slave quarters at Decatur House — a red-brick structure that sits in the shadow of the White House — that once housed the black men and women who served 19th century politicians, military and business leaders who lived in the property. The first lady, who is the nation’s only first lady to have descended from people held in slavery, made the stop as part of an announcement that the historic Decatur House, which is located 150 yards from the White House, would receive a $1 million grant from American Express to preserve the house and accompanying slave quarters.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/05/22/michelle-obama-visits-slave-quarters/

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/22/first-lady-visits-decatur-house/

BOG First Lady, Michelle Obama

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Love me some FLOTUS! However, I'll bet that was a haunting, emotional experience. Thanks Cha!

[Cha]

2. I'm sure it was Tarheel Dem.. Lots of Emotion behind her relating

the history of Decatur House and visiting the Slave Quarters. So encouraging and inspiring, though, with her there as FLOTUS!

[sheshe2]

3. I loved her speech, Cha!

She is the warmest, happiest First Lady ever!

I thank Flotus, for reminding us of the history of Decatur House. I am glad that it will be preserved for generations to come.

[Cha]

4. A true Renaissance Woman for

the Ages, She!

thanks for the Happy pic.. lol

[IrishAyes]

5. My own house is built over and around an 1847 log cabin that was once slave quarters.

We can't know how much the spirits see today, but I'm sure they'd approve my decorating scheme - pictures of the current First Family everywhere!

[Cha]

6. So much history surrounding your home, IrishAyes..

I have a few pics of PBO and his family in my home, too. And, a book "Of Thee I Sing" by Barack Obama on a shelf.

When I was young I use to wonder about why people would have JFK's photo on their walls.. now I know.

[IrishAyes]

7. I've had to start rotating pictures; only so much wall space available!

But I keep my favorite, the big one of their first Inaugural Dance, on top of the upright piano, under a big sepia print of Murillo's 'Sistine Madonna and Child'.

There's a story to that picture also. Supposedly the print was made by Matthew Brady himself, at least according to the family that donated it to the Catholic church I was attending at one time. Most of that family were gone or dispersed, and when someone started to redecorate the room it had been in, they put it in a closet with other items destined for the trash!

Every week before Mass I had to go and visit that picture, so I went flying to Fr. wanting to know what had happened. When we found out, he knew the culprit was someone who disapproved of liberal Catholics and would raise all kinds of hell if I was found with the picture; so here's what he said to me to fix everything:

"****, that's a real antique donated to the Church and does not belong to the person planning to dispose of it. However, since I don't have authority myself to outright give or even sell it to you, here's what we'll do. You and your heirs in perpetuity are hereby appointed its guardians. If anyone from the donating family notices it missing and complains, you'll have to bring it back."

With that he wrapped his coat around the picture to conceal it completely and carried it out to the car for me.

[Cha]

8. Wow.. glad you have what is precious to you, IA.

I love photos on pianos. I lot of mine are in magnetic pockets attached to my fridge.