First Ladies as Leaders in Literacy
The National First Ladies Library & Museum to showcase how the women have advocated for learning.
To honor first ladies’ long-time focus on education, the National First Ladies Library & Museum at the First Ladies National Historic Site in Canton, Ohio, is preparing to unveil its 2024-25 featured exhibit. “Leaders in Literacy: First Ladies as Teachers, Educators, and Librarians” will come to life on April 27.
Opening on National First Ladies Day, the museum will showcase several first ladies who have advanced the cause of literacy and education. From Barbara and Laura Bush’s literacy initiatives in office to the various first ladies who spent time serving in the classroom, education remains a top priority.
“There have been many first ladies who have advanced the cause of education. They've either been teachers themselves, or they have been involved in helping communities advance literacy and education in their communities,” says Patty Dowd Schmitz, president and CEO of the National First Ladies Library & Museum, who noted Eleanor Roosevelt’s groundbreaking work with the Arthurdale project.
As part of the exhibit, people will get to look inside West Virginia’s Arthurdale community—established in part by Eleanor Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Arthurdale was the first homestead community built by the federal government as part of the New Deal—federal reform program created by former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to support struggling Americans. According to the National Park Service, Eleanor Roosevelt helped establish an experimental school for children within the town. Michelle Gullion, director of collections and research for the National First Ladies Library & Museum, says items supplied by Roosevelt, herself, will be on display at the exhibit.
The museum’s current exhibit featuring Jacqueline Kennedy has been extremely popular, according to Schmitz. This year, however, the organizers wanted to showcase a broader spectrum of first ladies instead of just one.
“Education is a foundational principle in the United States. So knowing that so many of our first ladies have made that an important cause to them, really speaks to the importance of it,” Schmitz says.
Dating back to the mid-19th Century, Abigail Fillmore was the first, first lady (1850-1853) to also teach in a schoolhouse. A few decades later, Lucretia Garfield, another schoolteacher and future first lady (March 4 to Sept. 19, 1881), gave up her career when she married Andrew Garfield. At that time, when a woman married, it was often the end of her career, according to Gullion. Abigail, however, continued to teach after marrying Millard Fillmore because of their financial need, Gullion says.
“Now we've come full circle. Here we are with Jill Biden, who just said, ‘I'm going to keep teaching school, even though I'm first lady,’” Gullion says.
Visitors of the exhibit, sponsored by Huntington Bank, will have a chance to transport back in time to Fillmore and Garfield’s teaching days. A replica of a one-room schoolhouse will be on display, complete with an immersive experience for children honoring the 19th Century educators.
The exhibit will also feature elements from Laura Bush’s literacy efforts, Barbara Bush’s radio storytelling and an art installation showcasing a book full of letters.
The main goal of the exhibit is to highlight the long-time work of first ladies in advancing literacy. However, Schmitz is also hoping to create an engaging experience that attracts a variety of people in the educational field and increase visitorship.
“Literacy is a cause that people can relate to,” Schmitz says. “It's something that I think is meaningful to everyone.”
On opening night, the exhibit will be open to the public during regular historic site hours. In the evening, a VIP “First Look” reception at the museum will follow where attendees can enjoy a private guided tour of the exhibit. There will also be a chance to hear from guest speaker Patricia Taft, great-granddaughter of Helen Nellie Taft.
That evening, the National First Ladies Library & Museum will also announce the winner of its $1,000 Mary Regula Memorial Scholarship: a local junior or senior in high school who has written an essay on significant historical events in American history through the eyes of first ladies.
The scholarship program was originally founded in the 1990s and was revived this year to honor Regula as founder of the National First Ladies Library.
“Mary Regula had a varied career as a schoolteacher, congressional spouse and mother of three children,” Stephanie Bohnak, the Director of Education for the National First Ladies Library & Museum, said in a news release. “We revived the scholarship program in order to honor her legacy and her dedication to educating young people.”
“Education and literacy has been critical to the success of the United States of America. And these women have made sure that that stays at the forefront of our consciousness,” Schmitz says. “I hope that people are inspired and learn more about the first ladies and all the wonderful things they did for that cause.”
The exhibit, sponsored by Huntington Bank, will run through April 19, 2025. Tickets for the “First Look” VIP Reception are available here.
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