“Civil War on the Homefront: Lucretia Garfield in Hiram, OH”

Step into the shoes of Lucretia Garfield, facing her husband’s absence during the Civil War.

Hear tales of her life as a young wife and mother in Hiram, OH: establishing their first home, raising a toddler, participating in homefront activities with other soldiers’ wives, all while concerned about her husband, two brothers, and neighbors off fighting with the Union Army.

An excerpted letter or two between Gen. Garfield and Lucretia may be shared as part of the presentation.

“Portrait of a 19^th Century Marriage:

The Courtship & Marriage of James & Lucretia Garfield”

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield shares the evolution of her courtship and marriage to James Garfield. What began with “the stern word duty” and progressed through the “Dark Years,” proved to be a loving union of true partners by the time they reached the Executive Mansion in 1881. 

 Listen, learn, and experience a view of how their relationship changed as Debbie gives a first-person account of the details of their private lives.

The Garfields’ letters - saved by Lucretia and edited by John Shaw in Crete and James – chronicle their relationship, and supply the narrative with candor and perseverance.

“An Ohio Girl in Washington”

How does a shy, reserved, farmer’s daughter from Garrettsville, OH grow up to become a US Congressman’s wife and First Lady?

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield shares stereopticon slides (you’d call it a PowerPoint presentation) that reveal her life in Washington City during the 1860s to 1880s.  Discover how and where the Garfield family lived when Congress was in session.  Learn about their vagabond life in Ohio every summer ~ and how that changed when they purchased their Mentor (OH) farm, “Lawnfield.”  You’ll also empathize with Lucretia’s hesitancy to put her family’s life in a “fishbowl” for reporters and Washington socialites to critique.

“A Conversation with Mary & Lucretia”

with Marian King as Mary Todd Lincoln

Two American women – from different generations – sharing their differences and commonalities.  Mary Lincoln and Lucretia Garfield meet over tea and discuss their paths to the White House and beyond.  You will be surprised about the experiences they had in common!  Hear them expound on interesting topics such as their educations and how they met their husbands, with private stories about marriage and their children.  Discover how they dealt with life in the Executive Mansion ~ and assassination.  

These two educated, intelligent women also examine their early lives and how they grew into independent widows.  One becomes the “Vanishing First Lady,” while the other remains one of the most misunderstood First Ladies.

Join us for a conversation that was never in your history books.  It’s also a perfect way to celebrate Women’s History Month!  

“Beyond the Veil”

 With Mary Lincoln & Lucretia Garfield

 The "veil" represents death, and to go beyond it can mean a near-death experience or reincarnation, or it can refer to transcending the ethereal through meditation or a séance, in which the living attempt to communicate with the dead.

 In the 19th Century, many middle-to-upper class people believed in Spiritualism.  It was especially appealing to women who were grieving the death of a loved one.

 We take you back to 1881: a time when families had lost loved ones to childhood illnesses and civil war; where a floral wreath was attached to the front door to indicate a death in the family and funerals were held in parlors at home; when mourning rituals often lasted a year or more – and many widows never returned to wearing cheerful colors.

Two former First Ladies try to find some solace after experiencing unspeakable tragedies. 

Portrayed by Marian King & Debbie Weinkamer

“A Snowbird’s Tale”

Around the turn of the 20^th Century, the Widow Lucretia travelled to South Pasadena, CA yearly from Fall to late Spring to avoid the harsh northeastern Ohio winters.  You’ll hear the story of train travel to the “Mediterranean of the West.”  What other famous ladies lived nearby?  You’ll see details of the Greene & Greene craftsman bungalow built for Lucretia in 1903.  Was she a Grand Marshal in the Rose Parade?