While mostly known through other people's documents and letters, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton was so ordinary in some ways and so completely unique in others. Born into wealth and privilege she quickly adapted to a life that would have easily made many made-for-tv movies....

Nancy even decided to order a new set of White House china, since there had been quite a bit of breakage since the Johnson China had been bought.   This was frowned upon by many in the public eye, and earned her the nickname of “Queen Nancy.”

Hannah Hoes Van Buren was the wife of Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States. She was an unusual First Lady in that she never actually lived in the White House, but her legacy as a dutiful wife and respectable woman remained throughout her husband’s presidency.

Though nearly unknown today, Elizabeth Monroe, wife of President James Monroe, was one of the most well known public figures of her time.  Along with bringing a new culture and sophistication to the White House...

Deborah Read was 15 years old when she first saw Benjamin Franklin while standing on the front porch of his parents' boarding house in Philadelphia.  Benjamin had just arrived in the city after leaving his home in Boston and he was, as she described, odd-looking...

There are no known facial images of Martha Jefferson in existence although one silhouette does remain. It is simple, showing a small woman dressed in colonial garb, a white day cap on her head.

When Abigail Adams died on October 28, 1818, her final words were to her husband. “Do not grieve, my friend, my dearest friend,” she said. “I am ready to go. And John, it will not be long.”