UPCOMING EVENTS
STEP INSIDE HISTORY
Get to know what made our First Ladies tick with deep dives into their careers, passions, hobbies, and even recipes. Our in-person events are perfect for girls’ night out, a historic date with someone you love, or a fascinating learning experience with the whole family. And our online events are a wonderful way to learn more about these amazing ladies!
Storytime & More With Stark Library
July 28, 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm
IN-PERSON: Discover the joy of learning together! This interactive Storytime, in partnership with Stark Library, combines engaging stories, rhymes, songs, and creative activities to help your child grow. Designed for kids from birth to preschool, Storytime builds literacy skills and prepares little ones for Kindergarten success.
Legacy Lecture: In Her Steps: Betty Ford's Life in Motion with Sharon Snowden
August 8, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
VIRTUAL: Join Sharon Snowden for a virtual lecture on the life and legacy of Betty Ford—a First Lady who reshaped the role through her candid activism and powerful advocacy on women’s rights, addiction, and health. Explore Betty Ford’s journey from dancer to First Lady and discover how she broke barriers during and after her time in the White House.
Talk with a Curator
August 13, 2025, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
VIRTUAL: Join Michelle Gullion, Director of Collections & Research, for an exclusive virtual glimpse behind the scenes of our First Ladies collection. Learn the stories behind the priceless artifacts and get a closer look at the personal history of America’s First Ladies.
Storytime & More with Stark Library
August 18, 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm
IN-PERSON: Help your little one take the first step toward school success with Storytime & More! This interactive event in partnership with Stark Library uses stories, songs, rhymes, and art to build early literacy skills and spark your child’s imagination. Free for children birth to preschool.
Third Thursday: Ida Saxton McKinley at Home
August 21, 2025, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
IN-PERSON: Join us for a delightful evening at the Saxton-McKinley House to explore the life and fashion of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley. Enjoy a guided tour, see her stunning personal effects, and relax with wine and cheese in a peaceful urban park setting. Third Thursdays Generously Sponsored by Employers Health.
First Ladies on the Page Book Club: The President’s Wife: A Novel by Tracey Wood
August 25, 2025, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
VIRTUAL: Join us for a virtual discussion of The President’s Wife: A Novel by Tracey Wood. Dive into the life of Edith Bolling Wilson, the remarkable First Lady who stepped in to fill the shoes of the presidency during a critical time in American history. Tracey Wood will join us to share insights into Edith’s life and discuss the novel.
Legacy Lecture: Julia Grant in Her Own Words
September 5, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
VIRTUAL: Step back into history with First Lady Julia Grant as she shares her extraordinary life in this virtual first-person performance by Women in History. From her early life on a plantation to her role as wife of General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War and Reconstruction, experience the remarkable journey of one of America’s most fascinating First Ladies.
Third Thursday Wine & Cheese: First Ladies & Their Iconic Hats
September 18, 2025, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
IN-PERSON: Enjoy wine and cheese during a fascinating evening exploring the iconic hats worn by First Ladies throughout history. Get an up-close look at rarely displayed original hats from our collection and learn how these fashion pieces were statements of power and elegance. Our expert staff will guide you through the stories behind these iconic accessories and the First Ladies who wore them. Third Thursdays Generously Sponsored by Employers Health.
Women of the White House Gala
September 20, 2025, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
IN-PERSON: Join us for an elegant evening celebrating the legacy of America’s First Ladies and the 25th anniversary of the National First Ladies Library & Museum’s partnership with the National Park Service. Enjoy a Kennedy-inspired dinner, live entertainment, and a panel featuring former First Lady Chiefs of Staff, including Anita B. McBride, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush.