Blair House” of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R
The original documents are located in Box 35, folder “Blair House” of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
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Digitized from Box 35 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library ~cbl~~'9S . T Y ·1 E Fashion I Leisure SA'TURD'A:Y,
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...·.. . .. ~ . J PHOTO REPORT ·ROHITO FOLLOWS AWELL-WORN PATH TO THE BLAIR HOUSE USN&Wfl After White House visit, on to Blair HOUS8.
HERE is one historic house on the royal party, whether or not the Emper The house and its contents were sold Tbusiest avenue in Washington which or would like to entertain, who should in 1942 to the U.S. Government for is a treasure trove owned by the U.S. conduct-the ritualized "tea ceremony" about $150,000. Since then, it has been Government-yet ~ never visited by beloved by the Japanese. host to hundreds of state visitors, from tourists. It is Blair House, the official Tea was to be poured by his staff. Russia's Khrushchev and Brezhnev to quarters for the guests of U.S. Presi Preferred refreshments, candy, flow Queen Elizabeth and the Shah of Iran. dents, across the street from the White ers, fruits, favorite cigars or cigarettes- Emperor Hirohito was the 250th state House. all were ordered and in place. guest to stay in the mansion since rec When Emperor Hirohitb arrived for Houu of history. Blair House-now ords began being kept in 1961. The his first state visit here on October 2. actually a complex of three adjoining Emperor is the 25th state visitor enter he, his Empress and their aides found structures-was built in 1824 by Dr. tained by President Ford. comfort, around-the-clock service and Joseph Lovell, Surgeon General of the How it began. The need for such the finest in American cuisine. Army, on Pennsylvania Avenue. guest quarters became apparent during Weeks of preparation went into the It was sold in 1836 to Francis Preston the hectic World War II years. A First planning, under the direction of the Blair, whose son, Montgomery Blair, be Family, then as now, has found itself Protocol Office of the State Depart came Postmaster General during the quartered close together on the upper ment. Mrs. Mary Schneck, the recently Civil War and a trusted adviser of Abra floors of the White House where there appointed 32-year-old hostess-manager, ham Lincoln, a frequent visitor to the are only two state guest rooms. consulted with officials at the Japanese Blair home. It was in a small room to Several years l;lgo, when the Roose Embassy to leam the Emperor's food the right of the front door that the velt dining room at Blair House was and beverage preferences-such as oat elder Mr. Blair offered command of the donated by the family, Franklin Roose meal for breakfast. She knew the num- Union armies to Robert E. Lee. General velt, Jr., said that the need to house 68 her of aides and security men with the Lee declined. official guests outside the Executive
lsraers Prime Minister Rabin (left) is interviewed at Blair Mrs. Mary Schneck is hostess-manager of Blair House, working with House. In past 15 years. 250 state visitors have stayed there. a staff that provides comfort-and security-for high-ranking guests.
. . DANIEL J. EDELMAN, I NC. • Public Re!ations \730 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. • WASH NGTON, O. C. 20006 • AREA CODE 2uZ - 785·9400
May 21 , 1975
Mrs. Sheila Weidenfeld The White House Washington, D.C. Dear Sheila: As I mentioned to you, Kohler Company is donating equipment for three bathrooms at Blair House. Plans for the project were designed by House Beautiful and the magazine is coordinating donations of other materials to complete renovation of the baths -- King's Bath, Room 26, and Margaret's Bath. The project is similar (though minute in comparison) to the House & Garden cooperative project with individuals and companies that accomplished other renovations at Blair House. The only mention the donors will receive in House Beautiful's story on the new bathrooms are small credit lines and the emphasis will be on the design. At thi. point, the designs have been shown to.Mrs. Henry Catto, Mrs. Mary Schneck of Blair House, and .Mr. Daniel Spaulding of the General Services Administration, who indicated their approval. After viewing at Kohler Company in Wisconsin, the design boards are being returned to me and I plan to show them to Mrs. Wilroy at Blair House next week (she was ill when we had the first viewing). The renovation has been set for some time this summer depending to a great extent on the schedule for Blair House. The magazine is l ooking toward an article in a February or March 1976 issue. I will have the plans in my office if any one else would like t o see them. The scheme is in conservative, excellent taste. Wish I could talk them· all into re-decorating my bath. Very best,
~M. Christie Vice President KMC : i vs
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