Did you know the Easter Egg Roll is one of the oldest annual events at the White House? After Congress forbade children from gathering for egg races on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, President Hayes invited them to hold their festivities at the White House instead. Since then, children and families have been invited to join this special event each Easter Monday. The event has been canceled only a handful of times, like during WWII and most recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was for this reason the 2021 Egg Roll was canceled, but it didn’t keep us from virtually learning and celebrating together!
On March 31st, 2021, we were joined by Samantha Hunter-Gibbs and Ken O’Regan from the White House Historical Association for a special online program to learn about the history of this special tradition. The team shared archival photos, entertaining stories, and even a taste of “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn” played by the United States Marine Band. Author Jonathan Pliska joined the program to share portions of his children’s book, The White House Easter Egg Roll: A History for All Ages. After an Easter-themed craft project led by the Foundation’s Clare Shubert, the panel answered questions from the audience, the most popular of which was, “How do I get a ticket for next year?”
A good time was had by all and one viewer had this to say about the program, “Three words: educational, enjoyable, EXCELLENT.” We certainly enjoyed learning and connecting with families virtually and hope to resume our in-person Easter event at the Museum next spring!
To order your copy of The White House Easter Egg Roll: A History for All Ages, visit shop.whitehousehistory.org
For the craft project, you will need:
2 egg templates printed on white paper (choose your favorite egg design from the link below or draw your own egg shape on white paper!)
A white crayon
Colorful markers
Tape (electrical tape or masking tape that can be adhered and then removed from the paper easily)
Colorful chalk Egg design template: https://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Plain-Egg-Templates.pdf
Watch the Program Here
When
March 31, 2021
Program Supporters
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
About Samantha Hunter-Gibbs
Samantha is a museum education professional dedicated to supporting educators, students, and families in their study of history. Sam currently engages in this work as the Director of K-12 Education at the White House Historical Association, a nonprofit organization with a goal to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the People’s House, the White House. Sam received a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Public History from American University in Washington, D.C. and has previously worked in various museum education departments throughout New England.
About Ken O'Regan
Ken has been working with the Association in various capacities since 2017, first as an Education Assistant, then Education Specialist, and currently in the role of Assistant Director of K-12 Education since 2020. Prior to joining the Association, he taught at both private and public schools in DC. Originally from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Ken holds degrees in history and secondary education from American University.
About Jonathan W. Pliska
Jon is a landscape historian and author of A Garden for the President: A History of the White House Grounds. He has extensively explored and studied documents of the historic White House. He has written and edited Cultural Landscape Inventories for the National Park Service, including one for the Ellipse, south of the White House Grounds. Jonathan Pliska lives, writes, and plants a garden of his own in Baltimore County, Maryland. You can purchase Jon Pliska's book "The White House Easter Egg Roll" here.
