Jackson holds open house at the White House
On this day in 1829 Andrew Jackson upholds an inaugural tradition begun by Thomas Jefferson and hosts an open house at the White House.After Jacksons swearing-in ceremony and address to Congress the new president returned to the White House to meet and greet a flock of politicians celebrities and citizens.Very shortly the crowd swelled to more than 20000 turning the usually dignified White House into a boisterous mob scene.Some guests stood on furniture in muddy shoes while others rummaged through rooms looking for the presidentbreaking dishes crystal and grinding food into the carpet along the way.
(White House staff reported the carpets smelled of cheese for months after the party.) In an attempt to draw partygoers out of the building servants set up washtubs full of juice and whiskey on the White House lawn.The White House open-house tradition continued until several assassination attempts heightened security concerns.The trend ended in 1885 when Grover Cleveland opted instead to host a parade which he viewed in safety from a grandstand set up in front of the White House.
