November 7, 1928: The Iowa City Press-Citizen proclaims Herbert Hoover winner of the presidential election. (Iowa City Press-Citizen)
Source: http
Herbert Hoover was born on this day, August 10, 1874. His father, Jesse Hoover, was a blacksmith; his mother, Hulda Minthorn Hoover, a seamstress and recorded minister in the Society of Friends (Quakers).
The Hoover children spent their early years growing up in West Branch, Iowa. They could hike, explore, and swim as well as hunt for fossils and agate in the glacial gravel along the railroad tracks.
Their Quaker upbringing forbade the Hoover boys from carrying a gun, so they learned to hunt for rabbit and prairie chickens with bow and arrow. They learned these skills from young American Indian boys who were attending a local government training school. Willow poles, butcher string lines and hooks that cost a penny apiece provided Herbert Hoover with sunfish and catfish.
A lifelong scar on the bottom of his foot reminded Bert of the time he walked into his father’s blacksmith shop barefooted, and stepped on a hot chip of iron. Read More
Source: presidentialtimeline.org
It’s time to play Hooverball! Hooverball was played each morning on the White House lawn during President Hoover’s administration.
The game was created by Hoover’s doctor to help the President slim down and keep fit.
“It is more strenuous than either boxing, wrestling or football,” wrote Will Irwin, a friend of Hoover’s, in a 1931 article “The President Watches His Waistline” in Physical Culture magazine. “It has the virtue of getting at nearly every muscle in the body.”
Every year, eager Hooverball enthusiasts compete in a tournament during Hoover’s Hometown Days. This year is the 25th Annual National Hoover-Ball Championships.
Learn more about the history of Hooverball on the Hoover Presidential Library web page.
Who wants to start a Hooverball league?
Source: go.usa.gov
Fifty three years ago…
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum. The little house in the background is Hoover’s birthplace cottage. West Branch, Iowa. 5/4/1959
-from the Hoover Library
Presidential Groundhog
Our resident groundhog at the Hoover Library made an early appearance yesterday (cute, cute, cuteness). Looks like West Branch, Iowa is ready for spring.
Happy Groundhog Day!
-from the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Hooverball!
Now explained by Iowa Public Radio:
“It was 80 years ago when a New York Times reporter coined the name for a new sport that was played almost every day at the White House. It was called ‘Hoover-ball,’ and while the game has been played off and on over the years, its popularity may be growing.”
P.S. The Hooverball National Championships are going down this weekend in West Branch, Iowa.
