National Treasures
America's Enduring Love for First Family Heirlooms
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BY G A RY T I S C H L ER
mericans — we the people, in the year 2016 — are a people descended from a revolution against the British Crown that separated ourselves from a king and his empire. With great difficulty, those Americans created a democracy of co-joined states with a leader would not be a hereditary king, but a president. The unintended consequence was that we instilled in ourselves an awe of a leader that, if not of the divine right of kings, is something almost equally intoxicating: an inherent respect and even idolatry — a keen, nostalgic, intense interest — for the office that is not a throne. We are fascinated not only with the presidents and first families, but with all of the stuff of presidents — their letters, books, clothes, their children and their toys and school work, their hair, jewelry and shoes, their activities and hobbies, parties and balls, the women they loved, their advisers, even their dogs. We love the artifacts left behind — the places they slept, the plays they saw and music they listened to, the notes they wrote to their boon companions. The physical remainders — found in presidential libraries, in museums, archives and private homes — are vivid reminders of the stories they surround. We collect mementos, keepsakes, coins, a photograph catching a glimpse in a parade. It never really stops.
There’s 88-year-old Mary Gallagher, who wrote “My Life with Jackie Kennedy” in 1969, one of the first books to personalize a relationship with, arguably, one of the most charismatic first ladies in modern times. Jackie is coming to life in the city as we look to last week’s film production of “Jackie,” a 2017 film starring actress Natalie Portman. Auction house Bonhams has timed its March 25th Decatur House showing of pieces from its presidential and related collections — including those of Gallagher, who was secretary to Sen. John F. Kennedy and later to Jackie Kennedy — to the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s book “Profiles in Courage.” President Obama made news recently by stating his intention to keep the first family in Washington after his presidency ends so youngest daughter, Sasha, can finish high school. Our interest even extends to fictional first families, as a D.C. visit from Kevin Spacey, who plays president on the Netflix hit, “House of Cards,” made news, including an interview on “Meet the Press.” Sadly, we also recall the life and times of first lady Nancy Reagan, who passed away Feb. 6. We the people long to admire and respect — but we also want to know the intimate details, touch the cloth, see the Lincoln bedroom and the house where the father of the country slept — hear and read the words.
Natalie Portman, as first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the 2017 film, “Jackie.” Parts of the movie were filmed on 14th, 15th and 17th streets NW near the White House. Courtesy Getty Images/Pablo Larraín.
Filming in D.C.:
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Natalie Portman in Town as ‘Jackie’
n case you missed Kevin Spacey at the National Portrait Gallery for his “House of Cards” portrait unveiling, or Ashley Judd at Gaston Hall or Halcyon House, or Leo DiCaprio at Cafe Milano or 1789 Restaurant, there was also a chance to catch a glimpse of actress Natalie Portman, filming in town for next year’s movie, “Jackie,” a couple of weekends ago. On March 6, Portman was in Silver Spring to introduce her film, “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” at the closing night of the 26th Annual Washington Jewish Film Festival. Sure, many actors have traveled to Washington, D.C. — not only to testify before the Senate or House on Capitol Hill or to put their influence behind a good cause — but also for doing their daytime job: working on a movie. The production crew of “Jackie,” which stars Natalie Portman as first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, filmed on 14th, 15th and 17th streets NW near the White House. The movie’s story focuses on the days immediately after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It’s scheduled for a 2017 release, with Pablo Larrain directing (“No” and “The Club”) and Darren Aronofsky producing (“Black
Swan,” “Noah” and “Pi”). The 34-year-old actress, who earned an Academy Award for “Black Swan,” is the same age as the first lady was when JFK was killed in Dallas in November 1963. Last week, she was in Easton, Maryland, for the filming of scenes of the Kennedys’ Dallas airport arrival. The film work for the story of the national tragedy was good news for D.C. film advocates like D.C. Council member Vincent Orange, who responded to an email inquiry: “I’m elated that the movie ‘Jackie’ is being filmed in D.C. This follows the filming of “Veep” and “Bourne Identity 5” in the nation’s capital. Moreover, D.C. residents and students from Richard Wright Public Charter School are participating in these productions. These productions utilize D.C.’s Film Incentive Rebate Program, which requires a minimum expenditure in the D.C. economy of $250,000. Our newly created Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, under the leadership of Angie Gates, is doing a great job. It is our hope that Mayor Bowser will increase the Film Incentive Rebate Fund in order to secure jobs, business opportunities and movie production expenditures in D.C.”
GMG, INC. March 9, 2016
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