Easter on White House Lawn
In 1935, Althea Swinford Hutton, published a book of poetry dedicated to her daughter, Virginia. One of the poems from Althea's book memorializes Virginia's participation in the Easter Egg Roll on the Whitehouse lawn. Virginia, my mother-in-law died in February of 2021, just days before her 98th birthday. Before she died she told me what she remembered about participating in the event. With her kind permission, I have reprinted the poem here.
EASTER ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN
by Althea Swinford Hutton
When the President entertains us
Upon the White House lawn,
With his Easter party
We're awake before the dawn,
In joyful anticipation
Of this gala, gay occasion.
Our gay beribboned baskets
Filled with eggs of brightest hue
Vie for favor with our bonnets
Now so saucy, crisp and new--
Which we don with proud assurance
For this special day's occurrence.
We pass through the gates historic
Where kings have passed before,
And our own beloved statesmen
Pass today; and those of yore
Whose noble spirits seem to linger
Adding welcome to our Childhood ever eager.
Bright balloons float about
And the lawn is ours.
Bands sweet music make
While we spend the sunny hours,
Rolling eggs in fashion gay to see
On a land that's truly free.