Dolley Madison

Hello! My name is Dolley Madison. I lived in a very special home called the White House. My husband, James Madison, was the president of the United States, and that meant we got to live there. I loved our big house! My favorite thing to do was to have wonderful parties. I wanted everyone to feel happy and welcome, so I invited many friends to our home. We would talk and laugh and have a lovely time together.

One day, something scary happened. In the year 1814, there was a war, and soldiers were coming to our city. It was not safe to stay in the White House anymore. We had to leave very quickly. But I saw something very important that we could not leave behind. It was a big painting of our country's first president, George Washington. I told my helpers, 'We have to save that painting!'. The painting was very big and heavy, but we worked together. We carefully took it down from the wall to keep it safe. I was brave that day because I made sure our country's special treasure was protected from harm.

I lived to be 81 years old. People remember me for being a kind host who made everyone who visited the White House feel like a friend. They also remember me for being brave when I saved the special painting of George Washington. Because we saved it, you can still see that beautiful painting today!