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An interesting side-note:

Dolly Madison was the first First Lady (the first person to whom the appellation was used), but first for a President who was not her husband - though she would serve the position again during his Presidency as well. Thomas Jefferson, a widower, recognized the need for a lady's presence in the White House, to act as official hostess to visiting dignitaries and other such, and asked his then Secretary of State's wife to serve the position.

Anyhoo, before the White House was set ablaze, she is purported to have rescued certain items including a portrait of George Washington that greeted visitors at the entrance. Today, there are two portraits hanging there: the portrait she rescued, and a portrait of her as well.

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