Please note that the following is a digitized version of a selected article from White House History Quarterly, Issue 51, originally released in print form in 2018. Single print copies of the full issue can be purchased online at Shop.WhiteHouseHistory.org No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. All photographs contained in this journal unless otherwise noted are copyrighted by the White House Historical Association and may not be reproduced without permission. Requests for reprint permissions should be directed to rights@whha.org. Contact books@whha.org for more information. Š 2018 White House Historical Association. All rights reserved under international copyright conventions.
REFLECTIONS
Declaring War STEWART D. M C LAURIN PRESIDENT, WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
in this issue of White House History Quarterly, we are honored to have an excerpt from a new book by presidential historian Michael Beschloss, Presidents of War. Michael has served for many years on the Board of Directors of the White House Historical Association, offering his counsel on historical matters regarding our mission. A renowned historian and author, the timing of his latest book fits with the theme of this issue as we observe the centennial of the end of World War I. Michael’s description of the actual moment that President Wilson put pen to paper and entered the United States into the First World War brings to mind for me the wealth of historical artifacts on display at the White House Visitor Center. When, on April 6, 1917, Wilson received word that Congress had passed the declaration of war that he called for in his address to a joint session on August 2, he chose not to return to his office in the West Wing to sign the document. Instead he stepped into Chief Usher Irwin (Ike) Hoover’s office nearby on the State Floor of the Residence, borrowed the first lady’s gold pen, and without comment or fanfare, signed the resolution. Word spread quickly to the American military. It was 1:18 p.m., and the United States was at war with the German Empire. Chief Usher Ike Hoover’s actual desk, upon which the declaration of war was signed, can be seen today at the White House Visitor Center. The
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extraordinary museum contains an array of interactive exhibits and artifacts from the White House collection dating back to 1800, when John and Abigail Adams moved into the Executive Mansion. The National Park Service operates this incredible facility in partnership with the White House Historical Association. In 2014 the Visitors Center reopened after a major refurbishment and is now on par with the very best museums and galleries in Washington, D.C. The various unique depictions of life and work at the White House make the Visitor Center a must-see on every visit to Washington. The Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue is free and open to the public seven days a week (except major holidays) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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T O P : W H I T E H O U S E C O L L E C T I O N / B O T T O M : W H I T E H O U S E H I S T O R I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N
David, please scan from magazine
As recounted by Michael Beschloss (page 34–37), on April 6, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson chose to sign the declaration of war on Germany, not in the Oval Office, but on the small mahogany rolltop desk (above) in the Usher’s Office just off the Entrance Hall of the White House. The desk was used by Ike Hoover, the chief usher from 1913 to 1933, and is on view to the public today at the White House Vistor Center (right). David, please remove out of service sign
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