Blacks not allowed in White House?

Question

Is it true that there was a time when blacks were not allowed into the White House?

Answer 1

I'm not quite sure what you mean-- as visitors? Anyway, this document should answer your question:
http://www.whitehousehistory.org/05/subs/images_print/05_c.pdf

It's from the White House Historical Association and is an African American timeline for the White House. Many of the early presidents has black servants. From the aforecited docutment:

"In the 1850s African Americans were dismissed from the White House ranks, not to be seen again until after the Civil War. President James Buchanan’s household staff was
entirely white. Buchanan specified that the new employees were to be British. He
believed that people trained in the British system of domestic service would be less of a
threat to his privacy and peace of mind. In his view, they were accustomed to big houses
and loyalty was part of their ethic. Except for the butler, Pierre Vermereu, who was
Belgian, all of the servants living under the Buchanan roof were from England, Ireland,
and Wales. Some of these continued in service during Lincoln’s administration."

Answer 2

I don't believe so, because even before the civil rights movement blacks worked as servants in the White House. They may not have had full rights at the time, but they were allowed in...

And just to address Michael M's concerns, this answer was given purely from an historical point of view, not as an opinion as to what was or is proper or politically correct.

Answer 3

There is truth in your question although post civil war it was custom not law. During the term of President Herbert Hoover [1929 to 1933] this began to change and it was due to his wife Lou Henry Hoover.

One of the jobs of the (then) First Lady was to hold get-togethers in the White House with the wives of the Congressmen. Unless that wife was black, they weren’t invited. Mrs. Hoover, quietly, with no fanfare, began to change that by including the black wives of Congressmen in these get-togethers.

If you’re interested in these types of things you might put the name “Lou Henry Hoover” in your browser and you will get a lot of things about this brave and intelligent lady.

Answer 4

Probably. The thought during the early 1900's and the years before of an African-American entering politics was completely unheard of and considered absurd. The law was kind of unofficial, but I'm sure even if there was an African-American candidate during that time period, he would have not been voted based on race.

Answer 5

Yes, during the Wilson administration. Many staff who had been there for ages were canned. When the Republicans regained control of the White House, many were re-hired.

Answer 6

As guests, certainly. There is the old joke that "Many Americans were scandalised when the President had a black man for dinner." It refers to Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington.

Answer 7

The White house is likewise the persons's homestead. i don't think of they have the main magnificent to alter each and every room interior the White homestead nor replace the colour of the White homestead exterior. they have the main magnificent to re-beautify and choose furnishings and rugs i think. i can undergo in strategies which administration is became, perhaps for the time of the Bush and Clinton years, yet i understand The White homestead went by using some considerable shape interior which incorporate the bogs and the plumbing. i might extremely opt to be sure a video of a White homestead excursion. First woman Jackie Kennedy gave a excursion on television one time. specific. i wanted The White homestead to stay "white" too. I voted for McCain.

Answer 8

No, I think they always had at least some black servants.