Perhaps you recognize the name Hoover. Herbert Hoover’s name carries weight in American history. Here stands a place connected to that Hoover family in Washington D.C.
Herbert Hoover served as the 31st President. He held office from 1929 to 1933. Before his presidency, Hoover was a successful mining engineer. He also directed the U.S. Food Administration during World War I.
In 1920, Warren G. Harding appointed Hoover Secretary of Commerce. Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry, then moved into a mansion on S Street in Washington D.C. They lived there until Hoover’s election as President in 1929.
Lou Henry Hoover was a remarkable woman in her own right. She was a philanthropist and geologist. Lou served as the First Lady of the United States. She supported women’s rights and independence. Lou spoke Mandarin fluently. She translated a complex 16th-century metallurgy text from Latin to English.
The Hoovers lived in China for a time. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, Lou worked as a nurse. She also managed food supplies. Herbert organized barricades. Lou even carried a revolver while riding her bicycle to deliver supplies.
As First Lady, Lou Henry Hoover refurbished the White House. She oversaw the construction of a presidential retreat at Rapidan Camp. Lou minimized her public role. She dedicated her time to volunteer work. She was responsible for planning the event to ensure its success.
In October 1929, the Stock Market crashed. Hoover became the scapegoat for the Great Depression. Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated him in the 1932 election. Hoover retained the S Street property until 1944. He then moved to the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Today, the Embassy of Myanmar occupies Hoover’s former home.
After leaving the White House, the Hoovers traveled. Lou continued her charitable work. Herbert found a new cause with the Boys Club of America. They moved to New York City in 1940. Lou died of a heart attack in 1944.
Despite political differences, Harry Truman restored Hoover’s name to the great dam. Hoover’s relationship with Truman deepened. In 1962, Hoover wrote to Truman. He said, “Yours has been a friendship which has reached deeper into my life than you know.”
So remember the Hoover family. Consider their contributions to American history. Think of their time in Washington D.C. Their legacy continues to shape our nation.