Brer Possums Sent to White House for Christmas in 1907
Written on December 24, 2008 at 10:55 am, by Lain
On December 23rd, 1907 the New York Times ran a little story about Mrs. Helen D. Longstreet, widow of Confederate General James Longstreet. Mrs. Longstreet sent two possums to the White House for the Roosevelt Christmas dinner.
The possums “surrendered” near the Wren’s Nest. Click the article for a larger version.
I have many questions. Here are a few–
- Who elected Mrs. Longstreet to the position of “Presidential Possum Postmistress?”
- Who currently holds this office?
- Where do I apply?
Here are a few more–
- Were the possums on vacation just prior to their surrendering?
- Did Mrs. Longstreet take possums on vacation regularly?
- Did the possums enjoy a warm reception at the White House or were they thrown in a heap with all of the other marsupials the Roosevelts had been sent?
I could do this all day.
Thank you, New York Times Archive, and Merry Christmas.
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Amber Suitt
Program Director
Lain Shakespeare
Executive Director
6 Comments to Brer Possums Sent to White House for Christmas in 1907
Awesome opossum.
Did people really eat possums and find these to be a special christmas feast?
Tom: exactly!
Jodi, as far as I know, yes. Check out this New York Times op-ed, Where The Wild Things Were, that chronicles how folks like Mark Twain had a much gamier diet back then.
(h/t Asian Cajuns!)
Lain, Postmistress is the old timey title given to a woman in charge of a post office. You will have to make some big changes in your life in order to apply for the position.
If I were an opossum, the White House would be the only place for me to be.
Good point, Starr. Perhaps it was in their wills, and Postmistress Longstreet was in charge of their estate.
Kirk, maybe you should write and distribute a pamphlet on postmistresses if you know so much about them.