First Lady Friendship Mouse

Pat Nixon and Mamie Eisenhower shared a long and deep friendship

National Archives and Records Administration

Mamie Eisenhower and Pat Nixon met for the first time during the 1952 Republican convention once it had been announced that Richard Nixon would be General Eisenhower’s running mate. As their husbands addressed the crowd, the two women were seated next to each other. Mamie had not expected Pat to be so young and exclaimed “You’re the prettiest thing.” From that first meeting, a long and supportive friendship would develop which would span the remainder of Mamie Eisenhower’s life.

The two women were from different generations, but they had much in common. Both women were mothers, had seen their husbands serve in the Second World War and were equally devoted to those husbands. Both women understood that what they did in their roles as First and Second Lady of the United States reflected on their husbands. They both took their responsibilities seriously. For Mamie, Pat was a figure to lean on. Mamie struggled with health issues during her eight years as First Lady and there were times when she did not have the stamina to attend every function she was invited to. Pat would often assist Mamie in these moments. In 1978, Mamie told Pat daughter Julie that “Your mother was my helpmate. I never hesitated to ask her to substitute. She was always gracious, and she never put on airs. She’s been the rock of Gibraltar. A good, thoroughly dependable person all her life.”

Their friendship would continue through the rocky years ahead. Mamie felt secure enough in their friendship to ask Pat to convince her husband to not press Ike to campaign for him towards the end of the 1960 presidential campaign. The Eisenhowers would stand by the Nixons as Richard Nixon lost both the presidential election in 1960 and his campaign for the governorship in California in 1962. Though there were also good times. Mamie was delighted when her suggestion to her grandson David to call on Julie Nixon when they were attending neighboring colleges turned into a romance. The good friends would officially become family when David and Julie married shortly before her father became president.

Pat Nixon would stand by Mamie during her toughest days after Ike passed way in March of 1969. Pat made certain that Mamie was not lonely, checking in on her and inviting Mamie to the White House. In turn, Mamie was a sympathetic ear to Pat since she understood better than most the challenges of being First Lady. Mamie even found herself involved in some of the more challenging moments of the Nixon presidency including one family dinner during protests where a guard accidently dropped a canister of tear gas sending the family fleeing from the dinning room. Mamie was never one to abandon a true friend in times of need and as Watergate consumed the nation and the Nixon presidency, Mamie made certain her friend Pat knew how she felt. As Pat was spending her last days in the White House, Mamie made certain to send her a note. “Dearest Pat, I only want to say I’m thinking of you today – always you will have my warmest affection as will your husband President Nixon – Your friend, Mamie Eisenhower.”

At the end of her life, Mamie said she wanted to simply be remembered as a good friend. Without a doubt, that was how Pat Nixon viewed her. Their friendship had endured the high and lows of political office and showed the true depth of character of these two remarkable women.

A colorful mouse-shaped eyeglasses case, given to Mamie Eisenhower by Pat Nixon. This item is in the collection of Eisenhower National Historic Site.

NPS Photo

The collection of Eisenhower National Historic Site includes a curious object that reflects the friendship between these two famous women, a gift from Pat Nixon that was found after Mamie's passing. It was a cloth eyeglasses case in the shape of a mouse. It was stored with the Christmas paper it had been wrapped in with Pat Nixon’s handwritten tag still on it.

In honor of their friendship, we have created a sewing pattern that will allow you to create a mouse of your own. We have dubbed it “the Friendship Mouse.” At the bottom of the page are directions for getting a pdf of the sewing pattern, as well as an instructional video that will walk you through creating your own friendship mouse.

Make Your Own Friendship Mouse!

To get started on your own friendship mouse, you can download an instructional pdf file here. You can also watch the instructional video below!

If you have questions on making this pattern, contact us here.

Duration:

32 minutes, 16 seconds

Pat Nixon and Mamie Eisenhower had a friendship as unique as this gift, a fabric eyeglasses case which is now in the Eisenhower National Historic Site museum collection. Learn more about this fascinating friendship and unique gift, one you can make your own version of at home! Follow along with Ranger Alyce in this instructional video.