DESCRIPTION:
Eugene Allen worked in the White House for 34 years, beginning his career there as a pantry man in 1952 and rising through the ranks to become head butler d'. Before retiring in 1986, Allen served eight U.S. presidents, their families, and honored guests. He related these stories to audiences at the 1992 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This video is part of the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings DVD "White House Workers: Traditions and Memories."

Purchase on Smithsonian Folkways: http://www.folkways.si.edu/white-house-workers-traditions-and-memories-dvd/american-history/video/smithsonian

In 1990, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage curator Dr. Marjorie Hunt began researching White House workers for the 1992 Smithsonian Folklife Festival's Workers at the White House program. One of the results of the research was a 32-minute documentary, "Workers at the White House," directed by Hunt, that features Allen and other workers who served many presidents. Hunt's documentary, which was produced in collaboration with the White House Historical Association, also appears on the 2009 DVD, "White House Workers: Traditions and Memories," along with an introduction by President Jimmy Carter; a 12-minute video accompanying the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, The Working White House; and two hours of additional interviews produced by Center curator James Deutsch and media director Charles Weber. The DVD illuminates the social and cultural history of America's most famous residence, exploring the skills, customs, knowledge, and experience of a wide range of White House workers.

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