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July 1, 2004
After leaving from Sacramento, we hopped on the bus to the San
Francisco Airport. Since I was basically raised in SF< it was a
nostalgic trip 'home' in many ways. I have a plethora of memories from
this airport, some of them good, and some of them now bittersweet.
We waited for nearly two hours, and had some time to explore. This
was a grand beginning to the trip, since the airport had two displays, one of
a wonderful cruise ship and its effects (similar to the Titanic) and another
of Presidential Tableware.
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I suppose I am a bit of a sentimentalist, but I stood there in awe before
the dinner plates that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln could have eaten
upon.
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B'sides the intrinsic historical value, it was
appropriate that I took in a bit of our oldest 'American' history and ambiance,
before setting off for a place with things and artifacts hundreds and even
thousands of years older than our young country.
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Ulysses S Grant and Abraham Lincoln had nice taste. . . or their wives did
anyway. The Purples are Lincoln's, and the peachy ones are of Madison era.
1860's
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Down through the years now, to Ronald Reagan's choices (Probably more like
Nancy's) for Air Force One, and Camp David.
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The Reagans were big on entertaining. Their expensive RED set of dishes
were amongst the most costly in the White House. These were trimmed with
gold.
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There was actually quite an uproar in the '80's about the china.
Reportedly she spent more on one place setting than the cost of a motorboat!
(I thought it WAS gorgeous though)
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At the President's Table
May 2004 - November 2004
This exhibition showcases an historic collection of White
House porcelain, from George Washington to contemporary presidential
administrations. Lent by Mr. and Mrs. Set Charles Momjian, representing one of
the largest collections of china outside the White House.
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easily admit to being a purist. I'm not interested in 'reproductions'
though I do like to see what things were like if there is no original
available, there is still something amazing about looking at 'The real thing'.
Plates with chips and knife scrapes, that COULD have been made by the leading
men in our history. It fascinated me. These are George and Martha's
Washington's set, most of which were destroyed in a fire. |
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I have a penchant for doorways. These are some of the ones that
delighted me all through our travels.
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