LOU HENRY HOOVER PAPERS
Literary Properties
Permission to Cite Materials
Literary properties in the unpublished writings of Lou Henry Hoover have been
retained by the Herbert Hoover Foundation.
Permission to cite passages from these writings may be secured by written
application to the Director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. The donors
have instructed the Director to be very lenient in granting permission to publish
extended "fair use" quotations. Permission will only be withheld in cases where
publication would misrespresent the meaning, would be commercially exploitive, or
would otherwise be inappropriate in the judgment of the Library Director.
Scope and Content Note
The wives of the Presidents have long fascinated Americans even though the
historical record concerning them has been relatively sparse. While we are somewhat
familiar with Martha Washington, Dolly Madison, Mary Todd Lincoln, and Edith Galt
Wilson, our knowledge of them is actually very superficial. The problem stems from
the failure to preserve their personal papers, a problem that is reflected in the dispersal
and relative scarcity of presidential papers prior to those of William Howard Taft. In
the case of First Ladies, the period of more extensive documentation begins with the 27
linear feet of personal papers (less than 20,000 items) preserved by Mrs. Wilson. The
earliest large scale collection to provide a full length portrait of a First Lady, however,
is that of Lou Henry Hoover.
Unlike the papers of many other notable Americans, Mrs. Hoover's papers
(141 linear feet and over 220,000 items), provide coverage of all of the important stages
of her life from her formative adolescence in California through the trials and tribulations
of the White House years and well beyond. These papers provide insights into the
personality and life of one of the more remarkable women ever to preside as First Lady
and offer numerous opportunities for an assessment of her place in women's history.
Born in Waterloo, Iowa in 1874, six months before her future husband, Lou
Henry grew up as somewhat of a tomboy. Her father Charles Henry actively encouraged
this, frequently taking her hiking and fishing. Later she would fondly recall that her
intense comittment to the Girl Scout movement really began "when my father took me
hunting, fishing and hiking in the mountains. Then I was sorry that more girls could not
have what I had. When I learned of the movement I thought, here is what I always
wanted other girls to have."
Mrs. Hoover's contributions to the growth of the Girl Scout movement included
several terms as President, Honorary President and as a national board member. Her
papers provide new details, revealing her enormous success as a fund-raiser and the
impact of her sage counsel and influence in the movement. Her scouting files, which
comprise a major portion of the Girl Scouts and Other Organizations series, are
supplemented by copies of numerous speeches and articles on the Girl Scout philosophy
contained in the Subject File series.
An interest in wholesome outdoor activities for women and girls is also reflected
in Mrs. Hoover's involvement as President of the Women's Division of the National
Amateur Athletic Federation from its inception in 1923 until its merger with the
American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation in l939.
Extensive files concerning the NAAF's philosophical bases and the development of its
program may be found in the Girl Scouts and Other Organizations series.
If her outdoor life in California had whetted an appetite for travel and adventure,
that appetite should have been amply satisfied by l921. After their marriage in 1899 the
Hoovers spent their honeymoon on a steamer enroute to China where he was to assume
duties as chief mining consultant to the Emperor. For several years Palo Alto and
London alternated as bases while Mrs. Hoover and her two young sons accompanied
her husband to exotic locations in Egypt, India, Burma, Austrailia, China, Japan, and
Russia.
The Hoovers arrived in China a few months before the Chinese reaction to
foreign domination exploded in the Boxer Rebellion. Trapped with some 800 Europeans
and a handfull of Americans in Tientsin, the Hoover's helped to build barricades and
nurse the wounded. Soon after being rescued they collaborated on a book about their
experiences, but business pressures and other adventures intervened and the nearly-
completed book was never published. The final draft and the diaries of some fellow
participants may be found in the Subject File series. Letters to her parents just before
the siege, discussing the challenges of establishing their new home and the difficulty of
adjusting to Chinese customs, are in the Personal Correspondence series.
By 1912 Herbert Hoover had risen to the top of his profession and, looking for
new challenges, considered public service. When World War I broke out in the fall of
1914, the Hoovers organized committees to aid American travelers stranded in the early
confusion of the War. A few months later, when it became apparent that civilans in
occupied Belgium were likely to starve, the American ambassador turned to Hoover to
mobilize relief efforts among the neutral nations. When America entered the war in 1917,
Hoover was appointed head of the U.S. Food Administration. Mrs. Hoover's activities
in such related organizations as the American Women's War Relief Fund, the
Commission for Relief in Belgium, and the Food Administration Women's Club are
reflected in the Subject File.
When Mr. Hoover was appointed Secretary of Commerce in 1921, the Hoovers,
who had never sought public attention, accepted their "social obligations" as members
of the Harding and Coolidge official families. Actually, they had long enjoyed the
company of a wide circle of friends chosen without regard for their social connections
or standing. During the Commerce years the Hoovers entertained virtually non-stop, as
the Secretary sought information and stimulation from a steady stream of breakfast,
luncheon and dinner companions. Mrs. Hoover was frequently away on Girl Scout or
NAAF business; but the well-managed household functioned smoothly without her.
Guests were always welcome, simply being encouraged to stay a few days longer until
her return.
Correspondence in the Personal Correspondence series and social files in the
Subject File series attests to a wide circle of friends and a very active social life. Her
later success as official hostess in the White House would come as no surprise to
her many friends who frequently wrote to express admiration for the way she made her
guests comfortable. As First Lady she continually experimented with little touches,
such as the elimination of some of the more outdated aspects of White House protocol
and more comfortable chairs at her Musicales. Her most controversial action, however,
involved the hospitality she extended to the wife of Oscar De Priest, a black
congressman from Chicago who was entertained at a tea with other congressional
wives. Roundly attacked by bigots in both north and south, her files on the "De Priest
Incident" in the Subject File series also contain several folders of letters warmly
approving her action. Further insights into her attitudes on the race question may be
found in the "Servants and Aides" file in the Subject File.
Another unexpected development ocurred when the Hoovers, attempting to
escape from the oppressive heat of Washington's summers, built a retreat in the nearby
mountains of the Blue Ridge. Soon after their camp on the Rapidan was finished, they
became aware that there was no school for children in the area. There were few families
in the area and they were too poor to pay taxes which might have provided a school,
so the Hoovers built and equipped a school--with an attached apartment for the teacher--
and hired an experienced teacher who was familiar with the special needs of Applachian
families. Correspondence, clippings and photographs concerning the President's School
may be found in the "Rapidan Camp" section of the Subject File series. One very moving
document in these files contains the observations of a team of educators and child
psychologists who interviewed the children and adults in that remote hollow before
the school opened.
Additional insights into the White House years may be found in the series
descriptions for the White House General File and White House Social File series. The
Library staff has also prepared separate scope notes for the Personal Correspondence
series and for the files of the Women's Division of the National Amateur Athletic
Federation. The latter preceeds the list of folder titles for the NAAF in the container
list for the Girl Scouts and Other Organizations series.
Additional finding aids for the Lou Henry Hoover Papers include: (1) a card
index to correspondents in the White House General File and (2) card indexes maintained
by the White House Social Staff concerning dinner guests and official events.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
1874
Born in Waterloo, Iowa on March 29th.
1898
Receives degree in Geology from Stanford University.
1899
Marries Herbert Hoover at Monterey, California. They
honeymoon enroute to China. Mrs. Hoover studies Chinese
and begins collection of porcelains and material for a
projected book (never completed) about Chinese culture
and social customs.
1900
Boxer Rebellion. Hoovers are trapped with 800 Europeans
and a few Americans in Tientsin. Begins,but does not
finish, book on their siege experiences.
1900-09
Travels around world at least twice. Visits Egypt,
India, Australia, New Zealand, Burma, Japan, and Russia.
1908-14
Collaborates with husband in translation of De Re
Metallica, a l6th. century mining textbook written in
Latin. Awarded gold medal by Mining and Metalurgical
Society of America for significant achievement.
1914-17
Chairs American Women's War Relief Fund, an organiza-
tion established to repatriate Americans stranded by
the outbreak of WWI but later expanded to other
patriotic, homefront activities. Also helps husband to
organize and secure donations for relief in Belgium.
1917-18
Hoovers return to Washington, D.C. She becomes a Girl
Scout National Commissioner and Troop Leader. Organizes
an eating and social club in Washington, D.C. for young
women employed by the Food Administration.
1921
Drives own car from California to Washington,D.C.
after mother's funeral. Visits Waterloo and West Branch.
1923-40
President of the Womens'Division of the National Amateur
Athletic Federation.
1924
Heads National Women's Conference on Law Enforcement
in response to the Teapot Dome scandals.
1928-29
Accompanies husband--while President-elect--on trip
to Latin America to inaugurate Good Neighbor policy.
1929
Breaks White House racial barrier by entertaining the
wife of Oscar De Priest, black congressman from Chicago.
1929-33
Collaborates in writing of comprehensive, unpublished
history of White House traditions and furnishings.
1944
Dies at Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on January 7th.
Girl Scout Leadership Roles:
National Commissioner, 1917-18 President, 1922-25; 1935-37
Honorary President, 1929-33 Vice President, 1921; 1925-29
Honorary Vice-President, 1933-44
National Board of Directors: Chair, 1925-28 Member, 1933-35
Palo Alto Troop: one of the founders of this troop in 1917
Palo Alto Council: Member, 1923-27 and 1933-44
Washington, D.C. Troop Leader, 1917-18 and 1922-28
Principal Publications:
Articles:
"The Late Dowager Empress" (1909)
"John Milne, Seismologist" (19l2)
"Belgium's Need" (1915)
Book:
De Re Metallica (translation, l9l2)
Also two unfinished books on her experiences during the Boxer Rebellion
and anecdotes and observations on Chinese personality and social customs.
Honorary Degrees:
1923 Mills College
1928 Whittier College
1929 Swarthmore College
1930 Elmira College
1931 Goucher College
1932 Tufts College
1932 Wooster College
1941 Stanford
Description of Series
Personal Correspondence 1874-1944, undated 67 boxes
Primarily correspondence with friends and relatives, this
series also includes some correspondence with the general
public. During the presidential period similar material
was filed in White House General File series, files #l00
"Personal Letters" and #190 "Miscellaneous Correspondence."
Arranged in four chronological sub-series and thereunder
alphabetically, by name of correspondent. Sub-series
include:
1874--1920 8 boxes
1921--28 16 "
1929--33 19 "
1934--44 24 "
Subject File 1886-1973, and undated 121 boxes
Correspondence, telegrams, diaries, clippings, reports,
minutes of meetings, and miscellaneous printed materials.
Contains a small quantity of material dated after Mrs.
Hoover's demise which was added to the collection while it
was still in the donor's possession. Also includes a few
files dating from the presidential period which were not
maintained as part of the White House General File or White
House Social File.
Arranged by subjects alphabetically and thereunder
chronologically.
White House General File 1929-33, and undated 79 boxes
Correspondence, telegrams, clippings, reports, and
miscellaneous printed matter.
An important supplement to the preceeding series covering the
presidential period. These files reflect the character and
discharge of Mrs. Hoover's ceremonial and social duties; the
organization and functioning of her personal staff; and her
response to requests for material assistance, advice and
personal intervention in dealing with a wide variety of
government departments. Other subjects include: requests
for autographs and photographs, the receipt of various gift
items, and some White House social events.
Arranged by subjects in numerical order. Indexed on cards by
names of individuals.
White House Social File, 1929-33, and undated 38 boxes
Lists of prospective guests, seating charts, and a small
quantity of acceptances, regrets and thank you letters. (A
small quantity of the latter can also be found in White House
General File 100 "Personal Letters" and in the Personal
Correspondence series).
This series is closely related to the Subject File series and
the White House General File series , which seems to have
been created by a separate unit of the White House staff.
Some of the more interesting related materials include files
on the history and furnishings of the White House (Subject
File series) and "Social Events at the White House" (White
House General File series, file #80).
Arranged in two sub-series for subjects and individual
events. Indexed on cards, by names of individuals, to
indicate attendance at various White House social events.
Girl Scouts and Other Organizations, 1917-44 59 boxes
Correspondence, telegrams, clippings, reports, programs,
minutes of meetings, and miscellaneous printed matter.
Reflects Mrs. Hoover's involvement with the Girl Scouts and a
large number of other civic, social, religious, fraternal,
educational, professional, and philanthropic organizations.
Of particular interest are files concerning the Girl Scouts,
Friends of Music, Stanford University, the Women's Auxiliary
of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical
Engineers, and the Women's Division of the National Amateur
Athletic Federation. Among the Girl Scout files are drafts
of Nancy Goes Girl Scouting, a book written by Mrs. Hoover's
sister, Jean Henry Large, in the late l920's. Mrs. Hoover's
collaboration is reflected in correspondence dated 1927-29.
Related files concerning Mrs. Hoover's activities during the
presidential period may be found in the Subject File, White
House General File and White House Social Files series which
are described below. These files concern appointments and
social engagements, invitations to become a patroness or
member of an orgnization, and requests for such things as a
recipe, photograph or message.
Arranged in two sub-series: Girl Scouts (l3 containers) and
Other Groups (46 containers),.and thereunder by subjects
and/or names of groups.