White House Traditions: Easter Egg Rolls


Figure 1.-- .

It appears that Mrs. Hayes began the "Easter Egg Roll" for children on the White House Lawn during 1878--a tradition which still continues on the Monday every Easter. It is one of the oldest and most colorful presidential traditions and the one most associated with children. history. Actually egg rolling is a tradition in Washington that far pre-dates the Hayes. It also was more associated with the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue--the Capitol. Egg rolling was a popular activity for the kids in the early 19th century. Little information is available on early egg rolling, but presumably it was something for the children to do with all those eggs that they found on Easter. Initially it was probably a family event around the home or perhaps some church organized events. Gradually the tradition developed to dress the kids up in their new fancy Easter dresses and suits and have an egg public rolling event. Certainly presidential kids would have participated in these events along with other Washington kids. Just when the president himself got involved, historians have reached no clear consensus. Some insist that Dolley Madison first suggested holding a public egg roll for the children. There are also accounts of informal egg-rolling parties during the Lincoln presidency. Surely Tad and Willie would have loved it. The early public events, however, were not White House events, but were held on the grounds of the Capitol. There are press accounts as early as 1872 reporting on Washington children rolling eggs on the Capitol grounds. It is easy to see why. Any kid will tell you that it is much more fun to roll an egg down a hill than on level ground. The Capitol sets on top of Capitol Hill--perfect egg rolling territory. The Washington children delighted in the event and throngs of not always so well behaved children besieged the Capitol every year. Many not very sympathetic Congressmen were not amused by the annual invasion of children. Washingtonians had no vote, so there was not benefit in kissing local babies. The Congressmen decided to put an end to the annual mayhem. Congress in 1876 passed the Turf Protection Law which prohibit the Capitol grounds from being used as a playground. The 1877 event was rained out. Congressional authorities in 1888 placed a small notice in the newspaper informing Washington parents that egg rollers could not use the Capitol grounds. It is not entirely clear what followed. One account is that outraged egg rollers gathered at the White House gates and insisted that the children be allowed to roll their eggs on the ample Presidential lawn. There was no grand hill, but at least their was plenty of grass. Another account is that Mrs. Hayes alerted her husband (who had signed the Turf Protection Law) to the disappointment of the children, and ordered that the White House gates be opened so the children could use the expansive South Lawn. So the first White House Easter Egg Roll was held in 1878 and presidential kid Scott Russell, 6 years old at the time, had a fine time. Children at the time dressed very formally even for outings to the park. For an event like the Easter Egg Roll, many would have been dressed in their best part suit. She was first lady before the Fauntleroy craze of the late 1880s, but by the late 1870s fancy velvet suits, lace collars, and large floppy bows. Other outfits like kilts and sailor suits would have also been seen.

Chronology

Washington tradition

It appears that Mrs. Hayes began the "Easter Egg Roll" for children on the White House Lawn during 1878--a tradition which still continues on the Monday every Easter. It is one of the oldest and most colorful presidential traditions and the one most associated with children. history. Actually egg rolling is a tradition in Washington that far pre-dates the Hayes. It also was more associated with the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue--the Capitol. Egg rolling was a popular activity for the kids in the early 19th century. Little information is available on early egg rolling, but presumably it was something for the children to do with all those eggs that they found on Easter. After all, although colorful, Easter eggs were not candy. Children could eat only so many hard-boiled eggs. Initially it was probably a family event around the home or perhaps some church organized events.

Public Events

Gradually the tradition developed to dress the kids up in their new fancy Easter dresses and suits and have an egg public rolling event. Certainly presidential kids would have participated in these events along with other Washington kids.

The Madisons (1809-17)

Just when the president himself got involved, historians have reached no clear consensus. Some insist that Dolley Madison first suggested holding a public egg roll for the children.

The Lincolns (1861-65)

There are also accounts of informal egg-rolling parties during the Lincoln presidency. Surely Tad and Willie would have loved it.

The Johnsons

The Johnsons also permitted Easter egg rolling on the White House grounds (1866).

Congressional Egg Rolling (1870s)

The most notable early public events were not White House events, but were held on the grounds of the Capitol. We are not sure when this tradition first developed. We suspect it was before the Civil War, but we have not found early evidence. There are confirmed press accounts as early as 1872 reporting on Washington children rolling eggs on the Capitol grounds. It is easy to see why. Any kid will tell you that it is much more fun to roll an egg down a hill than on level ground. The Capitol sets on top of Capitol Hill, the highest ground in the city. And it was perfect egg rolling territory. The Washington children delighted in the event and throngs of not always so well behaved children besieged the Capitol every year. Finally the largest throng of children ever arrived and they literally tore the grounds apart (1876). Many not very sympathetic Congressmen were not amused by the annual invasion of children. And when they returned to Washington after the Easter holiday, many were infuriated by the shambles and litter left in the wake of the latest Easter Egg roll. Washingtonians had no vote, so there was not benefit in kissing local babies. The Congressmen decided to put an end to the annual mayhem. Congress quickly passed the Turf Protection Law which prohibit the Capitol grounds from being used as a playground (1876). The 1877 event was rained out so there was no real public notice. Congressional authorities in 1888 placed a small notice in the newspaper informing Washington parents that egg rollers could not use the Capitol grounds.

The Hayes (1878)

It is not entirely clear what followed. One account is that outraged egg rollers gathered at the White House gates and insisted that the children be allowed to roll their eggs on the ample Presidential lawn. There was no grand hill, but at least their was plenty of grass. Another account is that Mrs. Hayes alerted her husband (who had signed the Turf Protection Law) to the disappointment of the children, and ordered that the White House gates be opened so the children could use the expansive South Lawn. So the first White House Easter Egg Roll was held in 1878 and presidential kid Scott Russell, 6 years old at the time, had a fine time. Beginning with the Hayes, presidents and their families have joined in the festivities. Unlike the Congressmen down Pennsylvania avenue, the presidents and their families from all accounts appear to have enjoyed the event which soon became the White House's largest public celebration. It is accustomed for Presidents, First Ladies, their children, grandchildren and pets to attend the festivities and of course the presidential children and grand children eagerly participate in those events.

Late 19th century

The first Egg Roll was a very basic affair. The event over time became more elaborate. There were a variety of games and amusements. By the of the 19th century, Washington children played "Egg Picking," "Egg Ball," "Toss and Catch," and "Egg Croquet." As the event became an increasingly popular Washington tradition with bands, entertainers of different kinds, and festive food. John Phillip Sousa and the Marine Corps band, "The President's Own", performed in 1889. The number of egg rollers and their parents attracted vendors of all kinds selling goods added to the official events.

The Hoovers (1929-33)

First Lady Lou Hoover added folk and maypole dances to the Egg Roll events. This did not, however, become a permanent part of the festivities.

The Roosevelts (1933-41)

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1933 made the Egg Roll a modern media event when she greeted visitors and listeners all over America in a nation-wide radio. Mrs. Roosevelt also introduced more organized games.

World War II (1941-45)

There have been cancellations. Rain has resulted in some cancellations. Sometimes the event has been moved to sites like the National Zoo or even the Capitol. Some Egg Rolls were canceled because of wars. Here the longest cancellation was for World War II.

The Trumans (1945-53)

Further cancellations were caused by the need to renovate the White House during the Truman years. The White House had deteriorated badly. A leg from President Truman's piano went through a White House floor.

The Eisenhowers (1953-61)

The Eisenhowers reintroduced the Egg Roll in 1953. After a decade of canceled Egg Rolls, it was a new experience for Washington kids.

The Nixons (1969-74)

One of the most beloved modern innovation at the Egg Roll is the appearance of the Easter Bunny. This has come to be the most eagerly anticipated guest. The children love him. He or she is usually a White House staffer or even a cabinet member who dresses up in a special White House bunny suit. This was an idea introduced by First Lady Pat Nixon in 1969. The White House has come to strictly prohibit the famed bunny from appearing without earing his costume head. Only rarely is the staffer revealed.

The Fords (174-77)

The best known event at the Egg Roll in fact was a relatively modern innovation. The Fords in 1974 introduced the egg-rolling race with borrowed spoons from the White House kitchen.

The Carters (1977-81)

The Carters had some brand new ideas and introduced a circus and petting zoo in 1977. I am not sure how Amy was involved in this.

The Reagans (1981-89)

The Reagans had many new ideas for the Egg Roll. There were exhibits of antique cars, Broadway shows, and giant balloons in 1981. There were also egg hunt pits introduced in 1981. The egg rollers searched straw pits for autographed wooden eggs. One of the most famous Easter Bunny was the wife of President Reagan's Attorney General Edwin Meese III. Ursula Meese loved the role and she appeared as the Easter Bunny for 6 years and came t be called "the Meester Bunny."

Clothing

Children at the time of the first White House Easter Egg Roll dressed very formally even for outings to the park. For an event like the Easter Egg Roll, many would have been dressed in their best part suit. She was first lady before the Fauntleroy craze of the late 1880s, but by the late 1870s fancy velvet suits, lace collars, and large floppy bows. Other outfits like kilts and sailor suits would have also been seen.

Sources

Wead, Doug. All the President's Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families (Atria: New York, 2003), 456p.







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Created: March 27, 2003
Spell checked: 7:57 PM 3/26/2013
Last changed: 7:57 PM 3/26/2013