A Tour of the White House

Three out of four American television viewers tuned to CBS or NBC to watch a A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy in 1962, which was syndicated world-wide (estimates of hundreds of millions of people eventually saw the program, making it the most widely viewed documentary during that era).

Mrs. Kennedy provided a masterful, authoritative, knowledgeable tour of the various historical artifiacts furnishing 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, "the people's house", its interior design and her well-received renovation efforts of the White House, all the while amidst an aura of elegance by the First Lady hard not not to be captured by while viewing the tour.

This was shown as part of historical films in my junior high school history course and left a poignant memory of an era. It should be put back into print as an educational and cultural DVD for those of a new generation to enjoy.

I just watched this program for the first time in my life. Mrs Kennedy was simply the epitome of charm, grace, elegance and intelligence. She was mesmerizing to watch and her knowledge of the history of the People's House was staggering. And to think that she was an occupant for less than three years! She was able to accomplish so much in that short time.

Its too bad that the First Ladies since then haven't had the connection with the country that she did. She didn't seem overwhelmed by the job, and she never used her position for foolish causes or embarrassing histrionics.

She was truly a work of art. And one of the White House's and America's greatest treasures.