Friday, January 27, 2017

THIRD POST FROM MADAME TUSSAUDS

Another president in the President's Gallery.


This time it is Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States.  


One of my favorite characters in history as he was a great conservationist and was instrumental in putting land aside for many of our national parks.  Also he was a hunter and a taxidermist from a very young age.  When he was in his teens he learned to identify the sounds of almost all of the birds in his surroundings of New York and Long Island.


You can learn more information about him here.



Above are likenesses of President Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy (Onassis).  I found a very interesting history of how they met here.  I spent almost two years in Newport, Rhode Island in the late 1970's, and had no idea that that is where they were married.  John F. Kennedy, known as Jack, was our 35th President.  I am not showing you the presidents in numerical order.  More info on him at this link.


Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy.  They were married for 52 years.  He was our 40th President and was born on February 6th, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois.  After graduating college in 1932 he found work as a radio sports announcer in Iowa.   More info here.




I enjoyed this mural along one of the corridors between exhibits, and other artwork along the way.





The following picture depicts John Adams, who was the 2nd President of the United States, and was the first president to live in The White House.  When he arrived in Washington DC, this famous landmark was still under construction and he temporarily lived at the Tunnicliffe's City Hotel.  He didn't move into The White House  until November 1st, 1800, but soon after was defeated in the 1800 election, and only lived there for four months.  He was a bit of a grumpy guts but married a good lady, Abigail.  You can read more at this link.





This is John Quincy Adams, our 6th President and the son of John Adams.  He was a statesman and a diplomat, a Senator and member of the House of Representatives.   He was married to a lady named Louisa who was English, from London, and up until this last election, was the only First Lady who was born outside of the United States.  A link with more info can be found here.



The following is Woodrow Wilson who was the 28th President of the United States.  He was born in Staunton, Virginia, not too far away, a little over a two hour car ride.  He was born on December 28th, 1856 and experienced the Civil War in his youth, as he was present in Georgia when Union troops entered his town.  His mother tended to wounded Confederate soldiers.  Also, as a 13 year old he stood next to General E. Lee when he, Lee, participated in a procession in Augusta. His link full of information can be found here.



Warren G. Harding was the 29th President of the United States.  Info here.  Harding came from a small town in Ohio, and before entering politics he owned The Marion Star, which is still in existence today.  He served only two years in office, from 1921 to 1923, when he died.  His Vice President, Calvin Cooledge, became the 30th President of the United States.



Next, Dwight D. Eisenhower, our 34th President.  Camp David is named after his grandson, David.  Many years ago my sister and I were staring through the railings at the side of The White House (this was when there were no barriers except for the tall iron railings).  What captured our attention was a white squirrel on the grounds, scurrying along with a mouthful of acorns, trying to find a spot to bury them I'm assuming.  We had never seen a white squirrel before and were discussing the fact.  The next thing we knew, a guard appeared at a fast pace through the trees, with a rather formidable looking rifle, no doubt to make sure we were behaving ourselves.  Our conversation must have been a bit boring.  "Well I never, have you ever seen a white squirrel before?" "No, never!" was my reply.
"Isn't he a lovely little thing?"  We were trying to take photos, not of the Oval Office but of the white squirrel.  My sister and I were so startled at the sight of the guard we nearly fell out of our shoes, and with a quick smile at the guard, knew it was time to move along.   I have been seeing white squirrels each time I visit the city over these many years, the great, great grand-squirrels of that one little white squirrel perhaps?  Why am I retelling this tale?  Because the following story reminded me.  Eisenhower banished the White House's squirrels because they were ruining his putting green.  In the spring of 1954 the American Public Golf Association installed an outdoor putting green just steps from the Oval Office, which we were unknowingly standing not too far from, it being blocked from view by a 
'forest' of large bushes and trees.  Much to his dismay, Eisenhower, who was an avid golfer, noticed the squirrels were continuously digging up the putting green to bury their acorns.  "The next time you see one of those squirrels go near my putting green, take a gun and shoot it", this to his valet.  The Secret Service, however, wisely avoided the use of guns, and instead the groundskeepers trapped the squirrels and released them into Rock Creek Park.  Well, I can tell you now, they came back!



Gregg is standing next to Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.  It depicts a scene at the Appomatix Court House in Virginia, where Lee surrendered his army to Grant, a precursor to the end of the Civil War.  President Grant became our 18th President.  There are some very interesting facts about the two at this website.
There was a very old tree in our neighborhood and local legend, so I was told, said that Lee stood under its branches and addressed his troops.  It would be nice if the story had some truth to it but I have no clue if this is fact. Sadly the tree had to be cut down years ago. 



The following collage shows from left to right, William Howard Taft, No. 27, Ulysses S. Grant again, No. 18, James Buchanan, No. 15, and Rutherford B. Hayes, No.19.  You can click on their names to learn more.




The following are Presidents Richard Nixon, No. 37, Gerald Ford, No. 38, Lyndon Johnson, No. 36  and Jimmy Carter, No. 39.


President Barak Obama, our 44th President and First Lady Michelle Obama.  President Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.  First Lady Michelle was born in Chicago, Illinois.  They met while working for a Chicago law firm, where she was assigned to be his advisor.  They were married on October 3rd, 1992. There is more information here.


We visited before President Trump was added but I read that he has now joined the President's Gallery.

I hope you've enjoyed this post.  I have tried to get my facts correct, but if any historians out there see any discrepancies, I would be very grateful for any corrections.

I have one more post to share of the celebrity section of the wax museum, and that one will be my last post.  


64 comments:

  1. Fascinating walk through history for me.

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  2. What amazing likenesses of the Presidents and First Ladies!

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    1. The likenesses fascinated me. Some not quite right and yet others you had to look twice :)

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  3. I am just so amazed at how lifelike they are...it is amazing.

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    1. I felt the same Rose. Very talented those artists are.

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  4. What a FUN history lesson! John Adams could certainly have used a good barber. We lived in Staunton, and now live 15 minutes away. Phil worked at Woodrow Wilson Rehab Center and we have been to Wilson's house. Matter of fact, many things around here are named for Wilson. I also remember the day Kennedy was shot. What a splendid tour of the presidents! Each one looks like the real live president! Now I can almost say that I have been there! I can't wait for your next installment!!!!

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    1. Hi Ginny, how very interesting. I hope I get to visit that area this year. I remember that day too. I was 13 and I ran upstairs to tell my mum and dad. Dad was sick in bed and a friend was visiting. I still can see the look of shock on their faces.

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  5. You put a lot of effort into this post, Denise, and it was worth it. I haven't checked all the links - time doesn't permit - but will come back to do it another time. Interesting about the white squirrels especially as I didn't know there were any. Have a great weekend.

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  6. I am wondering how they got the Trump one ready that quickly. I love the one of Obamas and the first one they even have the pores on the face showing. most of them look so real like they could just stand up and walk...

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    1. I expect there was one of Trump and Hillary already to go. In the gift shop there were already President Trump souvenirs on sale, and right next to them 'President' Clinton souvenirs. I expect the same can be said for the wax figures.

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  7. Hello Denise, awesome post and photos from the museum. I enjoyed the squirrel story.
    Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

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  8. What a comprehensive post, D! They did Nancy Reagan a favor [never saw her look that goo] but not Michelle Obama who never looked so bad in real life :)

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    1. We didn't think Michelle's statue showed the true Michelle. Always admired her and her style. I thought they did a good job of the president though.

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  9. Whoever worked on these did a mediocre job with JFK and Jackie. They did better with later presidents. Where is Blii Clinton and hillary?

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    1. Some artists are better than others I guess but on the whole I thought they were well done. What I like is they bring history alive and stoked some great conversations about each president. I did take a photo of the Clintons, two of them, but unfortunately they came out very blurry. Next time I go, like a few others that came out blurry, I will take photos that I missed. I forgot to take into account the lighting.

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  10. Teddy, Ike, and the Grant and Lee display are my favourites here.

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    1. Teddy was my all time favorite but Grant and Lee I enjoyed and that one was Gregg's favorites.

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  11. Wow- that's a lot! It's interesting how some reall favor the real person and some are just a hair off...something just not quite right. I'm not much a fan of wax figures...they kinda are creepy. But these are neat to see from AFAR. Have a great weekend!

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    1. I agree Terri, 'just a hair off' is a good way of putting it. We have not been fans before and tend to stay away from wax museums, but thanks to our visiting cousin who wanted to see it, we found ourselves really enjoying the museum, and the company we were with was great.

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  12. This is for Elephant Child, sorry EC, when I went to publish your comment, I accidentally deleted it instead :(

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  13. My goodness Denise, Gregg standing next to Grant and Lee.
    Not bad for his age is he. :)

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  14. Hi Denise, another very interesting post with some really good extra bits of information again. Did you manage an image of Harry S. Truman who was a distant relation of my family, our surname being Truman, when my elder brother got married he actually sent a Telegram from White House Farm {that's as much as I can remember of the address}. By the time I got married he had died bless him. All the best and look after yourself. Regards John

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    1. Thank you John, And how very interesting. I checked and I did take a photo of your distant relative. Very remiss of me to leave him out. However, in my next post he will be at the head of the line :)

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  15. That close up of Theodore Roosevelt, is amazing!

    I was wondering if I dare say, that some are better than others? And I guess I may. Since others have said similar.

    Isn't it interesting, how we have pictures of famous people, "in our heads"? And we compare them, with what we see portrayed...?

    Luna Crone

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    1. No problem Luna Crone, And I also agree with you. Yes, it is always interesting about our perceptions.

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  16. Great post. I can't believe how lifelike the sculptures are. I loved your story about the white squirrel. There is a family legend about a house that has been in our family a long time in South Dakota. It is that my great grandfather was on a tour of the White House grounds and saw an acorn on the ground and picked it up and put it in his pocket and then later planted it next to his house in Del Rapids, South Dakota. So now there is this giant oak tree next to the house and everybody says that it is from an acorn from the White House grounds. My Dad, said he never heard that story until the last 10 years or so and doesn't believe it. It makes a great story though.

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    1. What a great story Yogi. Thank you for sharing it.

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  17. I must be funny to see this - life like and yet not. I am resisting the urge to make a comment about orange wax!!!

    Sorry about slow reply - I have been in New Zealand and blogging has taken a bit of a back seat.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Thanks for visiting Stewart. I am looking forward to seeing your NZ photos

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  18. An interesting post, Denise. Most of the sculptures look so real, I love the close up in the first photo!

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    1. Thank you Marleen. I am glad you enjoyed them. I took that close up shot so that you could all see the great detail. So much work goes into each and every wax figure.

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  19. Must have been an interesting visit. Like Stewart above I too was tempted to make a comment about yellow wax! The mere thought of Trump depresses me, so probably the less I talk about him the better.

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    1. Thank you David. So much going on isn't there?

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  20. That's such a funny story about the white squirrels. And those wax statues are awesome and so realistic.

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  21. Heisann.... impressing. Obama is 100% lookalike... even the glance of his eye!
    Have a nice week ;:OD)

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    1. Yes, he was very lifelike and I recognized that stance and smile right away. Thanks for visiting Vilt og vakkert, and wishing you a nice week too.

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    2. Hope you soon recover, Denise ;:OD)

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  22. I've just been looking and reading through this post and your previous Tussards posts.

    Lovely to see Gregg in the photo's too, I especially liked the one of him with Abraham Lincoln.

    All the best Jan

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  23. Great post and photos! Would you believe, even though I am actually English by birth, I never did get to visit Madame Toussauds!

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    1. Thank you Jayne. This place has been opened in DC for many years and this is the first time I have seen it.

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  24. I didn't realize there was a Madame Tussaud's in Washington. I originally thought these were from the London Madame Tussaud's! The likenesses are wonderful. What a fascinating stroll through American history.

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    1. It was, a wonderful bit of history. The first time I knew of it was when my son and his wife went there and showed me their photos.

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  25. Denise, I have to say they look so real that some of them look "spooky real"! lol
    I see the comment above mine...are you still not feeling well? It's been awhile now. I hope you've been to the doctor and you're resting. Hope you're all well soon!
    hugs,
    Marie

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    1. A good description SweetMarie, especially in the darker areas :) Doing a lot better now thanks. Slowly returning to normal.

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  26. Absolutely fascinating, Denise. Really enjoyed that!

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  27. Teddy looks so real! How fun! Have a great week!

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    1. He did. Amazingly life-like. You have a great week too :)

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  28. They all look real, lively in all angles. Great work. Lovely captures...

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  29. I will have to keep a look out for that movie Linda. Last time I saw him portrayed was by the late, great Robin Williams in the Night at the Museum movies. I tried to reach your Google page for your blog addy but it wouldn't go there even though I tried several times. I will try again tomorrow.

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  30. Thank you so much for posting this, Denise. I really enjoyed seeing it, especially Barack and Michelle. I miss them so much.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed my series Kay. I agree, I miss them also.

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  31. It must have felt like you are walking among the real people because they really look so real. A fun history lesson to know more about all the presidents. You have taken great photos.

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