MARIA A. DOWNS FILES, 1974-77

Maria Downs joined Mrs. Ford's staff as Social Secretary in October 1975, replacing Nancy Lammerding Ruwe who had held the position for one year. Lucy Winchester, formerly Mrs. Nixon's Social Secretary had remained in the White House as assistant to Mrs. Ford until October 1975. Most of the material in the Downs Files was generated during her own tenure as Social Secretary but portions document Social Office activities under Winchester's and Ruwe's leadership.

Prior to becoming White House Social Secretary, Downs worked in the White House Office of Bicentennial Liaison and earlier as staff assistant to Anne Armstrong, Counsellor to the President. She was involved for many years in Republican politics and had been on the staff of the Republican National Committee.

The file documents nearly three hundred social events held in the White House during the Ford administration. Documentation on planning and preparation is particularly complete for state dinners held to honor visiting heads of state and special dinners honoring Congress, the Judiciary, state governors, and the Medal of Freedom recipients. The record is less complete for the more numerous and routine breakfasts, brunches, luncheons, and receptions hosted by the President or the First Lady. The file for a small portion of these events occasionally includes only a guest list.

The White House Social Secretary worked closely with the First Lady and the West Wing Staff in the overall planning, arrangements, coordination and direction of all official and private social events hosted by the President and his family. Downs supervised a staff of nine which included the Social Entertainments Office and the White House calligraphers and illustrators. Additionally, she oversaw dozens of volunteers who assisted with preparations for many of the more elaborate affairs.

After the form and date of a White House function were determined, the White House Social Secretary coordinated all arrangements. Guest lists were compiled in consultation with various White House offices and the State Department when planning for a state dinner. President Ford and the First Lady were more actively involved in overseeing this procedure than many of their predecessors had been. The Social Secretary worked closely with the State Department Chief of Protocol to determine proper procedure in forms of address, religious and societal prohibitions, dress and seating arrangements.

The Social Secretary planned the menu in consultation with the White House chef and Mrs. Ford, briefed military aides and music support, made arrangements for entertainment, coordinated staff and volunteers for set - up and decoration of the Residence, and made arrangements with lending institutions and individuals for objects used as dinner table centerpieces. Following an event, the Social Secretary coordinated letters of thanks to those involved.

Downs worked most closely with three assistants: Pat Howard, Linda Baker, and Ann Watwood, a full - time volunteer. Documents created by all three appear in Downs' files.

This collection documents all of the Social Secretary's activities and responsibilities listed above. Many of the materials also illustrate how the First Lady worked closely with the Secretary when planning for particularly important events, especially state dinners. Mrs. Ford's attitudes about White House entertaining developed over many years while attending events at the Residence as the wife of a congressman. As First Lady she paid careful attention to the interests and preferences of the visiting dignitary or honored guest. Menus, entertainment, and decor were then selected in line with an appropriate theme and often highlighted some aspect of American culture. For example, knowing of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's interest in the American West, centerpieces were created around Remington and Russell bronzes, and country music was selected for after dinner entertainment.

Related Materials (April 1989)
A closely related collection is the files of Sheila Weidenfeld, the First Lady's Press Secretary, which include considerable information on White House social events, particularly press coverage. The Betty Ford Papers' Events File also includes material on social affairs; much of this is duplicated in the Downs Files, but there are unique memoranda between the Social Secretary and the First Lady. Additionally, the White House Central Files Subject File PP 5 - 1 (Betty Ford) and SO (Social Affairs) include related material.

Audiovisual holdings about White House social events are plentiful and include thousands of still photographs and video tapes of state dinners and other selected events.