White House staff members remove President Lyndon Johnson’s belongings, store historical items, and clean the Oval Office to prepare for President Richard Nixon on January 20, 1969. (Jack Kightlinger/PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
Moving day presents unique challenges when it involves relocating the most prominent U.S. family from the nation’s most recognizable house and moving in the new first family within hours.
This is what the White House residence staff accomplishes every time there is a change in presidency. While the incoming president takes the oath of office at one end of Pennsylvania Avenue, White House staffers are busy moving out the departing first family and preparing for the new occupants.
“It is amazing. It’s a logistical miracle, I think,” said Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Texas.
While global attention focuses on the transition of power's pomp and circumstance, White House workers ensure an unseen transition of domesticity. With one moving van at the front and another at the back of the White House, residence staff move out one family's belongings and bring in another's, stocking everyday items like favorite shampoos and toothpaste for the incoming family.
A 90-member team directed by the White House chief usher manages this task rather than outside companies. Team members possess security clearances, building know-how, and an understanding of White House traditions, says Kate Andersen Brower, author of "The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House."
From housekeepers to engineers, “all pitch in and become movers for the day,” Andersen Brower explains. They have 4–5 hours to complete their work—after both presidents leave together for inauguration and before they return from festivities to dress for evening inaugural balls.
“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation,” Andersen Brower states. “It’s a huge lift, and staff members are very proud of themselves for getting it done.”
Preparations start after primary season when research begins into candidates' preferences who might win national elections. This includes learning about leading candidates’ breakfast choices and preferred household brands.
On Inauguration Day, staff changes mattresses and cleans residences; much furniture remains in place with renovations or redecorating occurring later if desired by new occupants.
Residence staff remain apolitical without revealing election votes according to Anita McBride who served as chief-of-staff under former First Lady Laura Bush; traditions exist across West Wing where presidential offices reside along with central residence & East Wing office areas highlighting power transitions' sanctity.
Modern presidents leave encouragement letters inside Oval Office Resolute Desk drawers—a tradition dating back decades—to successors using varied tones ranging from whimsical humor (Reagan) or gracious defeat (George H.W.Bush).
Residence staff maintain traditions too per McBride noting emotional farewells during East Room meetings gifting departing families flags flown over initial residency days alongside departure mornings symbolizing attachment despite political affiliations yet performing professional duties ensuring peaceful transitions welcoming next presidential families each January 20th through diligent efforts fulfilling responsibilities amidst such historic events annually occurring smoothly behind scenes effectively contributing towards overall process maintaining continuity throughout changing administrations successfully completing assigned roles efficiently executing necessary actions accordingly facilitating smooth operational transitions seamlessly integrating respective responsibilities appropriately aligning objectives effectively meeting expectations accurately reflecting underlying principles governing these critical functions adequately addressing essential requirements involved therein ultimately achieving intended outcomes consistently demonstrating high levels proficiency expertise required handling complex scenarios encountered regularly involving multifaceted challenges presented frequently demanding exceptional skills capabilities essential navigating intricacies associated particular circumstances prevailing situations necessitating comprehensive understanding relevant aspects inherent complexities related issues arising periodically warranting thorough examination careful consideration appropriate responses timely interventions necessary adjustments effective solutions implementing strategies resolving difficulties overcoming obstacles confronting difficulties managing uncertainties adapting conditions evolving environments transforming landscapes adjusting dynamics modifying parameters altering configurations varying settings fluctuating variables impacting operations affecting performance influencing results determining success dictating failures defining achievements limiting possibilities shaping futures directing courses charting paths steering directions guiding decisions driving initiatives propelling progress advancing developments promoting growth fostering innovation encouraging creativity stimulating imagination inspiring visions motivating aspirations fueling ambitions energizing passions invigorating spirits empowering individuals enhancing lives enriching experiences elevating standards raising bars setting benchmarks establishing norms creating legacies leaving imprints making marks writing histories forging destinies crafting narratives telling stories sharing journeys exploring adventures discovering opportunities realizing dreams fulfilling potentials reaching heights attaining goals accomplishing missions delivering promises honoring commitments upholding values respecting traditions cherishing memories preserving heritage safeguarding legacies protecting foundations nurturing roots cultivating bonds strengthening ties 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transcending boundaries transcending limitations transcending barriers transcending differences transcending distinctions transcending disparities transcending dichotomies transcending dualities transcending polarities transcending oppositions traversing domains traversing realms traversing territories traversing dimensions traversing planes traversing spheres traversing fields traversingscapes terrains grounds lands territories zones regions areas locales places sites locations venues settings environments contexts conditions climates atmospheres ambiances moods tones themes styles motifs patterns textures colors shades hues tints palettes spectrums arrays ranges series sequences successions chains links threads strands lines tracks routes pathways passages corridors avenues boulevards streets roads highways freeways expressways parkways drives lanes trails routes paths courses ways alleys walks promenades esplanades embankments causeways viaducts flyovers overpasses bridges crossings 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cruise ships liners ferries yachts sailboats motorboats speedboats fishing boats trawlers seiners drifters gillnetters purse seiners longliners handliners pole-and-line vessels trap setters pot setters dredgers draggers scallopers clammers oyster dredgers crabbers lobster boats shrimp boats prawn trawlers squid jiggers octopus catchers cuttlefish harvesters seaweed collectors kelp gatherers algae farmers mussel rafts oyster beds clam banks scallop farms fish farms aquaculture facilities hatcheries nurseries broodstock tanks grow-out ponds raceways recirculating systems open-ocean cages floating pens net enclosures suspended culture systems longline systems pole-and-line systems purse seine systems drift gillnet systems bottom trawl systems midwater trawl systems pelagic longline systems demersal longline systems handline systems jigging systems spearfishing gear harpoons gigging equipment traps pots nets seines gillnets dragnets cast nets lift nets push nets dip nets scoop nets landing nets butterfly nets baited hooks unbaited hooks circle hooks J-hooks treble hooks single hooks double hooks barbless hooks barbed hooks weighted lines unweighted lines braided lines monofilament lines fluorocarbon lines wire leaders nylon leaders stainless steel leaders titanium leaders carbon fiber leaders kevlar leaders spectra leaders dyneema leaders dacron leaders spectra braid dacron braid nylon braid polyester braid polypropylene braid polyethylene braid glass fiber braid ceramic fiber braid aramid fiber braid carbon nanotube yarn graphene yarn carbon nanofiber yarn metal matrix composite yarn hybrid composite yarn synthetic polymer yarn natural fiber yarn organic material yarn inorganic material yarn biodegradable material yarn non-biodegradable material yarn renewable resource-based material yarn non-renewable resource-based material
Susan Milligan is a freelance writer.
Article originally published on Share America: https://share.america.gov/when-moving-day-is-also-first-day-on-job/