by Bea Peterson
On a recent Sunday afternoon residents, family and friends of Wood Park enjoyed a visit with Dolley Madison, the charming wife of President James Madison. Dressed in a beautiful red velvet empire style dress with matching turban, historic interpreter Phyllis Chapman, along with visuals coordinator and husband Michael Chapman, enchanted folks with tales of the life of this very special lady. Dolley told her audience she was raised a Quaker, a life too plain for her. She was widowed at a young age and left with a young son. Friends introduced her to Madison and the rest, as they say, is history. She was especially noted for holding Washington social functions in which she invited members of both political parties, essentially spearheading the concept of bipartisan cooperation, something not done previously.
Dolley helped furnish the newly constructed White House and in 1814, when the British were burning the new capital, she managed to salvage some historically valuable items from the White House, including the classic life sized portrait of George Washington.
For more than an hour her audience was transported back in time. Her program was enhanced by various photos displayed on a large screen and bits and pieces she kept extracting from her trunk, while also enjoying tea.
Through a family connection, Wood Park residents have been fortunate over the years to enjoy several of Vintage Visitors Presentations, including “A New England Mill Girl: Lucy Larcom,” “Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield” and “Mrs. Margaret (Molly) Brown: Survivor of the Titanic.”
Phyllis, who makes all her own costumes, also performs “Susan B. Anthony: Crusader for Women’ Rights,” “Anne Sullivan: Helen Keller’s Teacher,” “Lillian Gish: Star of the Silent Screen” and “Notorious! Shady Ladies of 19th Century America.”
