The Beautiful Lucy Hayes (1831-1889)

Reflecting on years of reading and teaching American History, I  realize that I give very little attention to the Rutherford B. Hayes Administration. The genuine character of this honest American patriot was overshadowed by the tainted election of 1876.  In my lectures, his wife was distinguished only by the fact that she served Lemonade rather than alcohol in the White House. A closer look at Lucy and her time in the White House reveals a marvelous wife, mother, First Lady and Christian influence. Raised in a Methodist home, she took a pledge quite early to abstain from alcohol.  Lucy's parents and her future-in-laws, the parents of "Ruddie" Hayes, felt that marriage between the two would bring out the best in the young man. And it did! Rutherford Hayes was a gentleman, a scholar, a war hero and a fine President who was unfortunately caught up in the deal-making era of the "Gilded Age."  During the War Between the States, Lucy went to be with her husband in the war zone as often as possible.  Like the beloved Martha Washington, Lucy would sew for the men, mending tattered uniforms and lifting spirits with her  kind disposition.

She took bold stands on issues important to her, most notably, the temperance movement.  The author of our textbook, however, criticizes Mrs. Hayes for not being bolder still in using her platform as First Lady to demand action on her issues.  Our author does not understand Mrs. Hayes or her times  at all. Although temperance and womens' rights were extremely important to Lucy, her husband was more important still. She would never presume upon him to advance her own personal agenda. In fact, Hayes himself declared that the no-alcohol policy was his policy, not her's  She was given the title of "Lemonade Lucy" by those criticizing her effectiveness as White House Hostess.  In reality, Lucy was wildly popular as a First Lady: she was thrifty, yet elegant. Her parties, gatherings and State dinners were successes. A hostile Congress refused monies for White House improvements, so Lucy scavanged the attic and basement and auctions to bring "new" pieces of furniture to the mansion. She loved the White House and learned its History. She often gave tours herself to guests, regaling them with stories of the House's illustrious past.

 She became known for her lovely flower gardens and arrangements. She often presented flowers as "calling cards"--flowers she had grown in her gardens. The yellow rose you in this lovely portrait became her signature flower.

To me, her most endearing qualities were her faith and her devotion to her husband and children.  She and Rutherford had 8 children, 7 boys and 1 girl (lovingly named for her sister-in-law, Fanny Rutherford). But these qualities don't seem to be important to those who pen the biographies and histories of the office of First Lady. How sad.

Take time to look at the life of Mrs. Hayes--you will be thrilled to know a woman of such character occupied the White House.