Only Presidential White House Wedding
On June 2, 1886, President Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom in the White House, making him the only U.S. president to be married in the executive mansion.
Grover Cleveland was the second U.S. President to begin his administration as a bachelor. He would become the only one to begin his term as a single man and end it married. For the first fourteen months of his term, his sister Rose Elizabeth served as the official White House hostess.
Described as a private and somewhat abrasive man, President Grover Cleveland was a 49-year-old bachelor when he entered the White House. Mothers around the nation sought to introduce their daughters to the President. However, he had other plans, and would respond to questions about his marriage plans with, “I’m waiting for my wife to grow up.”
The young woman he was waiting for was Frances Folsom, the daughter of his former law partner. She was 27 years his junior. When young Frances’ father died, Cleveland administered his estate and became her guardian. Cleveland’s intentions at that point were entirely innocent and fatherly, but as she reached adulthood, both developed romantic feelings. However, Cleveland was skilled at fooling the press, so for some time, they thought he was planning to marry Frances’ mother, Emma.
President Cleveland then shocked the nation on May 28, 1886, when he announced that he would marry Frances at the White House within the week. Reporters soon followed Frances everywhere as she made wedding arrangements, and newspapers were filled with the smallest details about the nuptials.
On June 2, 1886, Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom were married in the White House Blue Room, becoming the only President and First Lady to wed in the Executive Mansion. Family, close friends, Cabinet members and their wives were seated among an abundance of flowers. Crowds thronged the streets around the White House, John Philip Sousa led the Marine Band, church bells pealed across the nation’s capital, and ships blew their horns in celebration. The President and his First Lady then honeymooned in a private cabin at Deer Park Lodge, Maryland.
| Do you like shorter articles like this? Let us know in the comments. |
Click here to view Cleveland’s handwritten invitation.
Click here to see what else happened on This Day in History.
Shorter articles are like appetizers, sometimes that’s all you need to feel full; however most times I would like a full meal, so longer articles are usually more satisfying.
The articles are of adequate and quite informative length. Do not change anything, please.
Yes I do. Being I attach some stamps to each article from my mom’s collection duplicates, and am quite busy otherwise, I am more inclined to more closely read these articles when they are shorter. I do look forward to looking at these articles each day and adding them to my stamp collection. These articles are a nice effort on Mystic’s part.
Mary V
Each article should stand on it’s own merits. If it needs to be longer so be it. I like the mix that you have done so far. I love and look forward to read each article every day. Keep up the good work!
Not a question of length — short or long. Question should be how relevant how accurate.
Keep the length/format as it has been.
I start my day with “This Day in History”! I most appreciate the longer longer articles links to expand the basic article. Reading a well written article is like starting the day with a great cup of coffee. Mystic Stamp has become my first choice for many of my stamp and stamp supplies. My support of Mystic is rooted in my love of “This Day in History”. Please keep the longer format.
I like the format just as it is. No change necessary.
The length of the article should be appropriate for the subject matter.
Seems like a good length to info readers. I read them to learn more details, so I’m not interested in the summary anyway, I like the whole story
I tend to agree with most of the comments on length. The article should be as log as it needs to be to tell the story. I learn something everyday I open your article. Keep up the good work.
Stick with the length necessary to provide the details that are often the most interesting additions for my history review.
I enjoy the whole story, so do not shorten articles up just because you can. Honestly, it’s not like we are reading War and Peace. And there is never a limit to learning a bit.
You have a winner in This Day In History. No need to change the format at all.
Vary the length as you have done previously based on the historic significance or some of the lesser known details. Keep up the good work.
In this case… longer is better.
It depends on the article, me personally I like long articles tied to Stamp Collecting, but I believe most like anything dealing with U.S. History.
I like the idea of shorter articles, provided there are more links to details for those who wish more content.
“Do what is right” in your judgement for the topic at hand. You have been spot on so far. This starts my day. Please don’t screw it up-it is wonderful. (BTW, if it resembles “War and Peace” in length, all the better for a second cup of coffee!)
I agree with Greg & Gary – each topic should stand on it’s own and what is relevant should dictate the length of the article. I read this each and every day and get a lot out of it. It brings life to our hobby.
It’s all about the content and I think Mystic does a great job with all articles long or short. Don’t change please.
I like longer articles better,more informative and interesting reading.bill stahl
As far as the subject matter if today’s entry… always interesting to learn about the women who affect the Presidency, just as last year’s TDIH entry of Martha Washington.
Enjoy the lessons in history, Thank you
go back to longer writeups
Your articles are like a good Scotch. They should not be gulped down to get past it right away, but they should be enjoyed leisurely, to experience all the flavor, and all the work put into making it. I vote for the longer, the better.
I don’t really want you to change anything! For the first time in my life I have grown interested in reading and learning about history. And that began with This Day in History e-mails. I never enjoyed History classes in school, but the link with stamps has piqued my interest and led me to be more informed. Thank you for what you are doing. I find the length of the articles a non-issue. I have enjoy each article as is, and when I want more info than you have provided, I click on links you’ve given or pursue my own internet search. I have never wished for less information!
I enjoyed Mr. Cid’s culinary comment as well as the opinions of the others. If the story has enough substance to require more lengthy content, by all means, let’s have it. On the other hand, let’s not make a short story long with needless filler. As for the long and short of it, variety is the spice.
First, yes. Only, no. I believe Woodrow Wilson married Edith Bolling Galt in the White House in 1919.
Ann odd coincidence: Both Cleveland and Wilson went by their middle names rather than their first names. Cleveland’s first name was Stephen, Wilson’s was Thomas.
I prefer the more compact articles, stressing the main points and leaving off minute details. But I enjoy the articles and try not to miss any, but they stack up if I have been gone for a time, and can be a burden to wade through.
Dera Sir: I prefer the longer articles–DEFINITELY. Thx Bill Stahl
Please don’t change it. I love the way it is. I read it with my morning coffee. What a great pair.