The Confederate high society once danced toward disaster at this Alabama house

Varina Davis’s Grand Social Campaign in Montgomery

When Jefferson Davis took office as Confederate president in February 1861, his wife Varina got to work. She hired a French chef, bought fancy gowns, and picked out a grand carriage before even reaching Montgomery.

The Congress soon leased a mansion for $5,000 a year, plus $987 more for the extra silver and linens she wanted. From then on, the First White House buzzed with parties and receptions.

Guests wrote of her charm as she turned the home into the South’s social hub. Yet behind closed doors, Varina had doubts.

She told her mother the South lacked what it needed to win the war.

Today, the First White House of the Confederacy stands as a time capsule of this brief but key moment in American history.

Varina Learned Her Husband Would Lead the Confederacy

Varina Davis got shocking news on February 9, 1861. Her husband Jefferson won a unanimous vote as the temporary Confederate president.

She worried deeply about this new job, having told friends during the breakup crisis that “the whole thing is bound to be a failure. ” Varina thought the South couldn’t match Northern supplies in a war.

She also believed Jefferson lacked the political skills for the presidency. Despite her doubts, she packed her things and got ready to join him in Montgomery.

As his wife, she put her personal worries aside for her public duties.

French Chef and Custom Gowns Arrived Before Her

Varina hired a French chef to travel with the family before heading to Montgomery. She wanted to make sure their meals would wow important guests.

She also bought a fancy carriage for official travel and ordered custom French dresses for state events. These steps showed she wanted to create an air of class and legitimacy for the new government.

Varina used her fifteen years of Washington social know-how, planning to build Confederate status through fancy hosting.

Congress Spent Big Money on the Presidential Home

The Temporary Confederate Congress voted on February 21, 1861 to rent an executive mansion for $5,000 yearly. They picked Colonel Edmund S. Harrison’s home at Lee and Bibb Streets near the Alabama River. Varina asked for extra silver and linen items, which cost another $987.

The house stood just two blocks from the Exchange Hotel where the Davis family first stayed in Montgomery. This prime spot put them close to government buildings and made it easy for officials to visit.

The Davis Family Moved In With Three Young Children

Varina quickly said yes to the Harrison house after seeing it. The Davis family soon left their hotel rooms and settled into their official home.

Their three young kids came too: six-year-old Margaret, four-year-old Jefferson Jr. , and two-year-old Joseph.

The mansion had big rooms perfect for hosting government officials and foreign visitors. Varina quickly set up the home for its role as the social center of the new nation.

She arranged the furniture for both formal greeting areas and comfy family spaces.

Montgomery Ladies Got Their Own Special Reception

Varina held her first official party just for Montgomery’s society women.

She followed the same rules she had learned during her years in Washington, greeting each guest warmly. Local women watched her every move, noting her stylish clothes, good manners, and hosting skills.

Many guests later wrote about her charm during these gatherings. This women-only event marked her first step in setting herself up as the Confederacy’s First Lady.

The party helped Varina build friendships with powerful Southern women.

Spring Parties Sparkled With Southern Elegance

During spring 1861, the First White House hosted many fancy receptions and dinner parties. Varina welcomed Confederate officials, military officers, and diplomats trying to build ties with the new nation.

Her French chef cooked fancy multi-course meals that wowed even the fussiest guests.

These gatherings mixed fun with politics, as Varina created chances for Confederate leaders to build friendships and talk strategy in a relaxed setting.

The events had music, dancing, and showed off Southern hospitality at its best.

Everyone Talked About Varina’s Hosting Skills

Writers and guests often praised Varina’s classy hosting style.

She greeted visitors with the right mix of dignity and warmth that made the First White House the clear social center of the South. Her fancy approach impressed both Confederate leaders and visiting officials.

Varina’s ability to remember names, family ties, and personal details helped her connect with guests from across the new nation. The First White House became known as the place to see and be seen in Confederate society.

Her Private Letters Revealed Serious Doubts

While hosting successful public events, Varina privately shared deep concerns about Confederate chances. She wrote to Northern friends and family, keeping connections that raised eyebrows among some Southerners.

Her Washington background and Northern family ties made some question how loyal she was to the Southern cause. In June 1861, she told her mother that the South lacked the supplies needed to win the war.

Varina struggled to balance her public role with her private beliefs about the war’s likely outcome.

Richmond Became the New Confederate Capital

After Fort Sumter fell and Virginia joined the Confederacy in April, Confederate leaders decided to move their capital to Richmond. Virginia offered more people and factories than Alabama, making it valuable.

The move meant Varina would need to leave behind the social world she had carefully built in Montgomery. Richmond offered even greater status as the permanent Confederate capital city.

The Davis family got ready for another move, just months after settling in Montgomery. Government officials started packing papers and planning the power transfer to Virginia.

Farewell Parties Filled the Final Montgomery Days

During May 1861, Varina hosted several goodbye receptions and dinners. The Confederate government officially moved to Richmond on May 20, 1861.

Montgomery families and Confederate officials came to final gatherings at the mansion, saying goodbye to the Davis family. These events marked the end of Montgomery’s short but important time as the Confederate capital.

Varina’s social calendar stayed full until the very end, as she used these final days to strengthen relationships that would continue in Richmond.

The First White House Stood Empty After May 27

The Davis family left the Montgomery executive mansion for good on May 27, 1861. Workers auctioned off many of the house’s contents after their departure.

Varina’s three-month social revolution had successfully established the Confederate social scene. The family traveled to Richmond to begin a new chapter in a different executive mansion.

The Montgomery house returned to its owner, Colonel Harrison, no longer serving as the social headquarters of the Confederate nation.

Though brief, the time Varina spent transforming the First White House into the center of Confederate society left a lasting mark on Southern history and culture.

Visiting First White House of the Confederacy, Alabama

The First White House of the Confederacy at 644 Washington Avenue offers free admission to explore Varina Davis’s social revolution during Montgomery’s Confederate capital period.

You can take self-guided tours Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. The house displays Varina’s personal gowns and tea service in period rooms.

It’s right across from the Alabama State Capitol’s south entrance, and group tours are available by appointment.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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