Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace |
Mamie Geneva Doud was born in Boone on November 14, 1896 to Elivera Carlson Doud and John Sheldon Doud. The Doud family came from Guilford, England in 1639. John Sheldon Doud came to Boone in the early 1890's and established a meatpacking company with his father, Royal Doud, of Chicago. John also had a livestock commission business, Doud and Montgomery. Carl Carlson (Mamie's maternal grandfather) immigrated from Dagos Sojen, Sweden, and settled in Boone County in 1868. In 1870 he went into the milling business and he built his own mill in 1892. Elivera Carlson, Mamie's mother, was born in Boone on May 13, 1878. |
John Doud and Elivera Carlson were married in the Carlson home at 420 Monona, in 1894. In 1897 Mamie's parents and two children moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At age six, Mamie moved with her family to Pueblo, Colorado, then to Colorado Springs. In 1905 the family established residence at 750 Lafayette St. in Denver. Mamie had three sisters: Eleanor (born in Boone) and Eda and Mable Frances (Mike), born in Cedar Rapids. Mamie met Second Lieutenant Dwight D. Eisenhower, of Abilene, Kansas (a native of Denison, Texas) in October 1915 while vacationing in San Antonio, Texas. Ike, just out of West Point, was stationed at nearby Ft. Sam Houston. On Valentine's Day,1916, the couple announced their engagement and were married on July 1, 1916 in the Doud family home in Denver. The newlyweds established their first home in Ike's quarters at Ft. Sam Houston. The General and Mamie Eisenhower lived in various army posts in the United States and around the world. Their first son Doud Dwight, was born on September 24, 1917, and died of scarlet fever at three years old. The second son, John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower, was born on August 22, 1922, married Barbra Thompson in 1947, and now resides in Pennsylvania. Mamie and Ike had four grandchildren; Dwight David (married Julie Nixon in 1968), Anne, Susan Elaine, and Mary Jean. |
After eight years in the White House, the Eisenhowers retired to the farm home they had purchased in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (now owned by the National Park Service and open to the public). It was the first and only home they actually owned. After the General's death, March 28, 1969, Mamie continued living on the farm until shortly before her death, November 1, 1979, in Washington, D.C. Mamie Geneva Doud was born at 718 Carroll Street in Boone. After her parents left Boone the house was owned by several families. During the 1940's the house was remodeled into three apartments. In 1962 the First Baptist Church purchased the house and used it for Sunday School. In 1954 the DeShon Chapter of the D.A.R. placed a plaque in front of the birthplace. |
After Mamie received the coveted Iowa Award in September, 1970, in Boone, a Birthplace Restoration committee was formed. The house was offered to the Birthplace committee with the provision it be moved. Warren Kruck donated the site at 709 Carroll St. and in 1975 the Birthplace was moved. Restoration research was done by the late Iowa architect William Wagner, who also researched Terrace Hill in Des Moines and the Hoover Birthplace. After five years of restoration the Birthplace was dedicated on June 22, 1980. Many items of family furniture were made available to the home, including items from Mamie's uncle's home in Boone, the original master bedroom furniture on loan from the Colorado Historical Society in Denver, and Mamie donated a number of her own items before her death, including her original baptismal certificate. The lower level has a museum and library. The area was remodeled in 1993 with all new permanent exhibits, space for temporary exhibits, gift shop and curator's office. The exhibits include many of Mamie's awards, photographs, dresses, campaign items, and other memorabilia. The library has a non-circulating collection of books about Mamie and Dwight D. Eisenhower, their families, the White House and Eisenhower era, local history and genealogy. The collection also includes photographs, videotapes, newspapers, magazines, letters and documents about the Eisenhowers. Boone observed the 100th anniversary of Mamie's birth with a special event attended by members of her family and the release of a book, "Mrs. Ike," by Susan Eisenhower, Mamie's granddaughter. |
The Restoration |
Highlights of the Birthplace |
Biographical Facts |
Outside is an 1890's wrought iron fence. The sidewalks are laid with square brick made in the Boone area. Inside, the Birthplace has been restored to the 1890's period. The parlor has matching chairs that were Mamie's which she presented to the Birthplace. The brown chair, gold settee, piano, bench and family Bible are from the home of Mamie's maternal grandparents (420 Monona St.). The guest room has a three-piece oak bedroom set, typical of the 1890's period. In the hallway are two pictures of the Carlson home at 420 Monona St. |
A beautiful hanging oil lamp graces the dining room. It is a family heirloom brought from Sweden by Mamie's grandparents in 1868. The oak dining room table and chairs, the side board, and platform rocker are from the Carlson home. The Ansonia clock on top of the china cabinet was a wedding gift to Mamie's parents. The dining room has a hard coal base burner stove, which was typical of that era. The master bedroom has the original bedroom furniture, on loan from the Colorado Historical Society in Denver, including the bed in which Mamie was born. The matching pictures on the walls were wedding gifts to the Douds (another is in the guest bedroom). The rose and black lace dress belonged to Elivera, Mamie's mother, and was worn by Mamie a few times. The kitchen has an oak ice box, table with cane chairs, high chair, wall telephone, cistern pump, and wood burning cook stove. The pantry provides storage space for canning jars, crocks, utensils, and food staples. A unique, folding oak step stool is found here. Behind the Birthplace is the summer kitchen and carriage house. The summer kitchen was used for cooking, preserving food, and as a laundry room. Located in the summer kitchen are a copper clad boiler, a gas stove, laundry tubs, wash boards, and wire carpet beaters. The carriage house was erected in 1982. Displayed there are the 1949 Chrysler Windsor sedan given to the Carlsons by Ike and Mamie at Christmas in 1948 and the 1962 Plymouth Valiant once owned by Mamie. |
The Museum and Library |
The museum and library are located downstairs. Exhibits include the chronology of Mamie Doud Eisenhower's life, including her baptismal certificate, baby shoe, original wedding announcement, photographs, and two gowns worn by Mamie. Other displays include many of Mamie's awards, Eisenhower campaign and inaugral material, photographs, original oil painting done by Dwight D. Eisenhower, original political cartoons by the late Frank Miller of the Des Moines Register and various related exhibits which are changed from time to time. |
The library offers a non-circulating collection of books about Mamie and Dwight D. Eisenhower, their families, The White House, and local history. There is a collection of photographs, newspapers, magazines, letters and documents about the extensive collections and files on local history and genealogy. Research inquiries are invited. Additions to the museum and library collection will be considered. |
"Friends of Mamie's Birthplace" |
"Friends of Mamie's Birthplace" was organized in 1984 to support this unique historical and educational resource. Members play an important role in advancing the interests of the Birthplace, Museum and Library. Memberships are open to anyone who desires to assist in commemorating the life of Mamie Doud Eisenhower, native of Boone, Iowa and wife of the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. |
Boone County Historical Society Charles Irwin, Excutive Director 602 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036 Phone: 515-432-1907 Fax 515-432-1907 Please include your mailing address so brochures and other information can be sent. |
