A 2013 - 2014 original C-SPAN feature series telling the stories of America's First Ladies - from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama -
through conversations with top experts, video tours of historic sites, and questions from C-SPAN's audience.

America's First Ladies — from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama
Sarah Polk
First Lady: 1845 - 1849
Click the list to watch videos
  • Sarah Polk, Margaret Taylor & Abigail Fillmore Program
  • Sarah Polk Program: Opening clip
  • Views on alcohol and relationship with James Polk
  • Personality, family and entertaining
  • Working on husband's papers
  • Views on morality and role of women
  • Richard Norton Smith on Sarah Polk
  • Early Life, education and political role
  • Running the White House
  • Edith Mayo on Sarah Polk's widowhood
  • Artifacts from Polk White House
  • Life After the White House
  • Her Dresses and Style
  • As a Political Wife
  • Concern for her husband's health
  • Her National Fan
  • James Polk's cabinet's daguerreotype
  • A brief introduction to Sarah Polk

Biography

Sarah Polk

James Polk
If I should be so fortunate as to reach the White House, I expect to live on twenty-five thousand dollars a year, and I will neither keep house nor make butter.

Born - September 4, 1803 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Parents - Captain Joel Childress & Elizabeth Whitsitt Childress

Married - January 1, 1824 to James Polk

Children - none

Firsts - 1st First Lady to host a Thanksgiving dinner at the White House.

Post White House residence - Polk Place, Nashville, Tennessee

Died - August 14, 1891 in Nashville, Tennessee

Click here to see full bio of Sarah Polk

 
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