“It’s all very well for those who like it, but I do not like this public life at all. I often wish the time would come when we would return to where I feel we best belong.”
First Ladies of the US Eliza Johnson Full Image

Eliza Johnson


Eliza McCardle Johnson
Years of service: 1865-1869
Born: 1810


First Ladies of the US Eliza Johnson Full Image

Eliza McCardle was sixteen when she married Andrew Johnson, a tailor. Eliza was left to manage the tailor shop and raise five children while Andrew’s political career blossomed. During the Civil War, Eliza and her children became war refugees after the confiscation of their home due to Andrew’s unpopular stance that Tennessee should remain loyal to the Union. After Lincoln’s assassination, the Johnsons moved into the White House, and Eliza, who suffered from chronic tuberculosis, chose to manage operations from the second floor. Her eldest daughter, Martha Patterson, served as the official White House Hostess.

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Notice of Temporary Closure

Closed until further notice

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the National First Ladies Library & Museum—including the Visitor Center, Museum, Research Library, Gift Shop, and the historic Saxton McKinley House—will be closed until further notice.

For the latest updates on the First Ladies National Historic Site, please visit www.nps.gov/fila. Updates on our reopening will also be shared here on our website and through our social media channels.

We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we are able.