Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the President James Buchanan Monument

Released on = June 6, 2005, 6:16 am

Press Release Author = Milton Stern

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = On Sunday, June 26, 2005, Milton Stern, author of Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady © 2005 and America’s Bachelor President and the First Lady © 2004, presents a "Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the President James Buchanan Monument," in Meridian Hill Park, Washington, DC, 12:00-2:00 pm.

Press Release Body = June 5, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUBJECT: Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the President James Buchanan Monument

Contact: Milton Stern
Email: miltonstern@harrietlane.net
Phone: 202-247-1149
www.harrietlane.net

Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the President James Buchanan Monument

JUNE 5, 2005, WASHINGTON DC: On Sunday, June 26, 2005, Milton Stern, author of Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady © 2005 and America’s Bachelor President and the First Lady © 2004, presents a "Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the President James Buchanan Monument," in Meridian Hill Park, Washington, DC, 12:00-2:00 pm (southeast corner of the park, 15th and W Streets NW). The only monument to the
15th President of the United States was dedicated on June 26, 1930, by President Herbert Hoover. Mr. Stern will discuss his books, President James Buchanan, First Lady Harriet Lane (whose generosity paid for the monument), and give a presentation on the history of the monument and the park, answer questions and conduct a tour of Meridian Hill Park. The event is free and open to the public. For more information
call 202-247-1149 or visit www.harrietlane.net.

On May 9, 2005, Harriet Lane, niece of President James Buchanan, and the first woman to be called First Lady, celebrated her 175th birthday (May 9, 1830-July 3, 1903). Harriet Lane was the most admired and influential woman in 19th Century America. In a recent interview on Global Talk Radio’s “A Story to Tell” (www.globaltalkradio.com), Milton Stern said, “To imagine Harriet Lane’s influence,
think of Jackie Kennedy. She had the same impact on her contemporaries.”

To celebrate the life of this most remarkable woman, the first extensive biography of Harriet Lane was released just a few weeks ago. “Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady” © 2005 is the second in a series by famed presidential biographer Milton Stern. Following on the heels of the highly successful “America’s Bachelor President and the First Lady” © 2004, an extensive biography of President James
Buchanan and his niece. “Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady” continues the story of the niece of President James Buchanan, whose youth, beauty, charm and grace earned her the title “Democratic Queen,” and whose advocacy work earned her the title “Great Mother of the Indians.”

From her debut in London society to her scandalous inaugural gown to her days as the grand dame of Washington society, Harriet Lane earned the admiration of women all over the world. In addition, her legacy thrives to this day through the Harriet
Lane Outpatient Clinics, The Pediatric and Teaching Hospital at Johns Hopkins University, St. Albans School for Boys in Washington, DC, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and countless other beneficiaries of her great generosity.

According to Beverly Nissenbaum (Cleveland Park), “From tomboy to hostess of fabulous White House parties, Stern relates the real story of Harriet Lane, and it is a delightful read. It is a scholarly work that reads like a novel and has plenty of footnotes for the more advanced study of American presidential history. This is a long overdue account of the life and times of Harriet Lane. Stern also brings to light the very likely fact that Buchanan had a decades long homosexual relationship with Vice President William Rufus Devane King. The Jackie Kennedy of antebellum America, Harriet Lane’s role as lady of the house, hostess, and escort of James Buchanan enabled him to entertain as Senator, Ambassador, and President of the United States. A sexy, athletic and cultured woman, adored by high society, and an outspoken supporter of the poor, sick, and enslaved, Harriet Lane was a real doer in philanthropy. Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady is a must read for anyone interested in American women’s history.”

The George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens Library Staff says “We look forward to including Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady in our library collection. It is a unique addition to the reference material available to employees and
scholars. Our staff is always interested in learning about Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and its Regents and Vice-Regents. Lily Macalester’s friendship with Harriet Lane will certainly be of interest to them, as will Harriet Lane’s consideration of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in her will. ... ongratulations on concluding this most noteworthy project! ... We wish you much success with your future endeavors.”

Andrew Marcus (Washington, DC) wrote, “This is a great read and an important book. Through detailed research, Mr. Stern has brought Ms. Lane back to life, and in so doing, he has preserved the memory of an important figure in our nation’s history.”

Gilbert Swift (New York) added, “Stern’s “Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady” is as entertaining as it is informative - a fun, pithy read.”

Asked why he wrote her story, Stern replied, “I have total respect for Harriet Lane, who, in a time when women did not have political clout, used her beauty,
intelligence and charm to push legislation through Congress that aided prison and hospital reform and stopped the illegal liquor trade on Indian reservations.” He continued, “And she entertained in a style that would not be witnessed again until
Jackie Kennedy became First Lady 100 years later.”

Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady is now available, go to www.harrietlane.net for more information.

Milton Stern will be giving a lecture at James Buchanan’s Wheatland in Lancaster, PA, November 15, 2005, entitled, “Harriet Lane’s continuing influence on the cities of Baltimore and Washington.” Go to www.wheatland.org for more information.

Milton Stern is available for lectures, readings and interviews: Email: miltonstern@harrietlane.net
Phone: 202-247-1149

HARRIET LANE, AMERICA’S FIRST LADY
© 2005 Milton Stern
ISBN 1-4116-2608-7

Web Site = http://www.harrietlane.net

Contact Details = Milton Stern
1733 B Newton ST NW
Washington DC 20010
202-247-1149
miltonstern@comcast.net