Relevant History welcomes Barbara Schlichting, author of the “First Ladies” mystery series. Barbara has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. She studied at Bemidji State University and currently resides in Bemidji with her husband. Dolley Madison: The Blood Spangled Banner, a mystery that ties modern-day clues with historical features, follows a descendant of Dolley Madison who owns the First Lady White House Dollhouse Store in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Look for the release of Mary Lincoln: Words Can Kill in the fall of 2016. To learn more about Barbara and her books, visit her web site, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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As a substitute in the local school district, it is apparent to me that students nowadays have more to learn than I did at their age. Unfortunately, so much of what was learned and memorized in my day is not being taught today. Also because of cell phones and other electronic devices, information is easily researched and soon forgotten. I wanted to make history relevant and fun as well as bringing it alive, which I hope to do with this series.

Our nation’s first First Lady
Dolley Madison was the most quintessential, bipartisan first lady to have ever lived in the White House. Her term began with Thomas Jefferson while her husband James Madison was secretary of state. She became Jefferson’s hostess for all state dinners and official functions since he was a widower. Jefferson called Dolley his first lady, which is how the title originated.

In the Madisons’ Washington home plus in her beloved Montpelier, Dolley opened her doors to all politicians, treating them equal. Her parties or soirees were famous, and people came from miles around to attend. All things were discussed, and because of her open-door policy, much was accomplished in the Senate and the Congress.

When Madison became president, Dolley moved her soirees to the White House. She entertained by serving cakes and wine, which made her famous around the world. Dolley’s humanity shined through, embracing everyone. She hosted the first inaugural ball. (Dolley did like a nip of snuff and alcohol). She taught everyone how to be civil and to respect each other by showing love to all.

By commandeering a wagon during the War of 1812, she saved vital state documents, the Presidents’ papers, silver, and china plus Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington. When the soldiers began singing our national anthem, they sang it for Dolley. After the war was over and the Madisons returned to Washington, Dolley rallied citizens and politicians by continuing with the soirees and promoting national unity.

After President Madison’s death, poverty forced her to sell her home, Montpelier, but she was happy to return to Washington, where she opened her doors again to politicians to discuss the day’s business.

The House of Representatives commemorated Dolley with a version of the Medal of Honor for her role in the War of 1812. The medal was cast in silver. When the telegraph was first invented, and Samuel Morse sent his famous message, “what hath God wrought?” Dolley was beside him. She was asked if she’d like to send a telegraph to the recipient, who was the wife of a U.S. Representative and a Baltimore cousin. Dolley asked Morse to send: “Message from Mrs. Madison. She sends her love to Mrs. Wethered.” This made her the first person to send a personal message. With Alexander Hamilton’s widow, Dolley attended the ceremony to lay the cornerstone for the Washington Monument. She passed away a year later and was eulogized as America’s First Lady.

Relatable history
My main character, Liv Anderson, treats the dolls as if they’re human by greeting them in the morning and saying “good night” in the evening. In between, she asks the dolls questions about what the president did or said during the day. I also relate the styles of clothes, the décor of the White House, and how it changed over time. In Dolley Madison: The Blood Spangled Banner, Liv comes up against a greedy killer who will stop at nothing to locate the original manuscript of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

I hope I’ve accomplished my goal in getting the reader to enjoy history and the love of the First Ladies. They’ve played a major role in the forming of this new nation and still are of great importance in today’s world.

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A big thanks to Barbara Schlichting. She’ll give away a trade paperback copy of Dolley Madison: The Blood Spangled Banner to someone who contributes a comment on my blog this week. I’ll choose the winner from among those who comment by Friday at 6 p.m. ET. Delivery is available in the U.S. only.

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