Mary Harrison McKee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Harrison McKee
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| Acting First Lady of the United States | |
| In role October 25, 1892 – March 4, 1893 |
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| President | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Caroline Harrison |
| Succeeded by | Frances Cleveland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Scott Harrison
April 3, 1858 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 28, 1930 (aged 72) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery |
| Spouse |
James McKee
(m. 1884) |
| Children |
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| Parents | Benjamin Harrison (father) Caroline Scott (mother) |
Mary Scott McKee (born Harrison; April 3, 1858 – October 28, 1930) was the acting first lady for her father, Benjamin Harrison. She lived in the White House during his time as president. There, she helped her mother, First Lady Caroline Harrison.
Mary became the acting first lady after her mother passed away in October 1892. She stayed in this role for the last few months of her father's presidency. Her young son, known as Baby Harrison, was very popular across the country during her father's time in office. Later, Mary became distant from her father after he married her cousin, Mary Dimmick.
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Early Life and Family
Mary Harrison was born in Indianapolis on April 3, 1858. Her parents were Benjamin Harrison and Caroline Harrison. As a child, she went to private school. Her mother taught her how to play piano and paint. When she was a teenager, she wanted to learn to dance, but her father said no because of his religious beliefs.
After high school, Mary went to the Chestnut Street Female Seminary in Philadelphia. When her father was elected to the United States Senate, she moved with him to Washington, D.C.. However, she did not like the city much.
Mary Harrison married J. Robert McKee on November 5, 1884. They got married at the First Presbyterian Church. Their wedding party was held at the Harrison family home. After their honeymoon, they moved into this home. Mary's parents lived in Washington at the time.
Mary McKee had her son, Benjamin Harrison McKee, on March 15, 1887. When her father ran for president in the 1888 United States presidential election, Mary helped with the campaign. She assisted her mother with the social events. Her duties as a new mother limited how much she could help. Her daughter, Mary Lodge McKee, was born on July 4, 1888.
Life in the White House
Daughter of the President
When her father became president of the United States, Mary and her family moved with him to Washington, D.C. They lived in the White House. Many family members living there made the White House quite crowded.
There were three women named Mary living in the White House. Mary McKee was called "Mamie." Her sister-in-law, Mary Harrison, was called "May." Her cousin, Mary Dimmick, was called "Mame."
Mary McKee helped her mother with her duties as First Lady. This included greeting guests and handling many letters. She often welcomed visitors to the White House when her mother or cousin were busy. Mary also worked with her brother's wife to plan dancing events at the White House. These events had not happened in previous presidencies. One popular ball she organized was on April 23, 1890. She also helped her mother with efforts to fix up the White House. In 1891, she joined her family on a trip across the United States with the president.
Mary McKee's son, known as "Baby McKee," became very popular. This was because his grandmother, Caroline Harrison, arranged for many photos of him to be released. This was a way to share news about the family. It is believed he was photographed more than any other child in the U.S. at that time. Historians say he was the most famous member of the president's family.
White House Hostess
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Sometimes, Mary McKee served as hostess when her mother could not. This happened when her mother was sad after her sister died, or when she became too sick to be First Lady. As her mother's illness got worse, Mary took on more of the First Lady's duties.
Caroline Harrison passed away on October 25, 1892. After this, Mary McKee became the acting White House hostess. The family was in mourning until January. The usual New Year's reception at the White House was not held. Instead of hosting parties, Mary spent her time caring for her sad father.
Social events were supposed to start again on January 31, 1893. But they were delayed again because the Secretary of State, James G. Blaine, passed away. Since her father had lost the election in 1892, Mary's time as acting White House hostess lasted only four months. Then, the popular First Lady Frances Cleveland returned.
Even though people in Washington liked Mary, these sad events meant her time as hostess was not very well known. By the time the White House reopened for events, only four weeks were left of her father's presidency. She held an event for her mother's Daughters of the American Revolution group on February 23. She also held an event for the Clevelands on March 3, the day before they returned to the White House.
Later Life
After leaving the White House, Mary McKee stayed with her father. They moved back to Indianapolis and worked together to fix up their house. She also traveled with him after his presidency ended.
Mary was upset when her father remarried in 1896. He chose her cousin, Mary Dimmick, as his new wife. It is not known if Mary McKee disliked her cousin before this, or when she found out about her father's plans. Mary McKee did not go to the wedding.
In 1928, Mary McKee gave 165 items to her father's presidential papers collection. In June 1930, she received an honorary law degree from her father's old college, Miami University.
Mary McKee passed away in Greenwich, Connecticut, on October 28, 1930. She had moved to Greenwich with her husband earlier. She was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, just like her parents. Her husband lived in Greenwich near their daughter until he died in October 1942 at age 84.
