The presidents’ caregiver
A Virginia Tech alumnus donates his mother's unique collection that offers private glimpses into U.S. presidential history.
Growing up on a farm in northwest Illinois, young Genevieve Raders Herrell could never have imagined her life’s path.
After losing her mother at the tender age of 2 and a challenging childhood, she found her escape — and her calling — in nursing school. This decision led her to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., where she would spend 25 years caring for America's first families.
An unexpected assignment
Herrell loved nursing and began her career as a stewardess nurse on the railroad. During this time, she met Cal Herrell in 1942 as he traveled home to be inducted into the Army. They secretly married that December and settled in Virginia after the war. In 1952, Herrell, then a civilian nurse for the Army, received an assignment that would change her life: to assist in the care of Margaret Wallace, Harry S. Truman's mother-in-law, who often stayed at the White House.
This initial role evolved into a position with the White House Medical Unit, where Herrell would serve until President Gerald Ford left office and she retired on Dec. 31, 1976.
A witness to history
During her tenure, Herrell witnessed firsthand the personal side of six presidencies, from Truman to Ford. Her son, Greg Herrell, a 1975 Virginia Tech history alumnus, donated his mother's collection of White House memorabilia to University Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives.
"My mother was not a cabinet official or a political adviser,” said Greg Herrell. “She provided care to people we elected to serve our country. Her interaction was personal with no agendas. There would be no tell-all books or sensational interviews. My mother’s long time there and the affection shown to her by the first families reflect the comfort and pleasure they took in her care and company.”
Genevieve Herrell’s letters, cards, and photographs tell the untold story and share the often-overlooked contributions of the many individuals who work behind the scenes to support the nation's leaders.
More than memorabilia
The one-of-a-kind collection includes Christmas cards signed by presidents and first ladies; personally inscribed photographs of presidents and their families; letters from first ladies Bess Truman, Mamie Eisenhower, and Betty Ford; travel credentials for Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit to Moscow; and an invitation to a formal dinner in Beijing from Premier Zhou Enlai during Ford’s 1975 visit to China.
The collection is valuable for historians, students, and scholars in political science, nursing, women's studies, and American culture because the personal nature of these artifacts provides a clear lens through which to examine the intersection of professional duty and national leadership.
Beyond these tangible items lies a wealth of personal experiences that paint a more human picture of America's leaders. Ren Harman, University Libraries’ oral history projects archivist, captured Greg Herrell’s memories of his mother and his family’s experiences during an extensive recorded interview that will accompany the collection.
"What struck me most while documenting nurse Herrell's experiences was the balance she maintained between professionalism and compassion,” said Harman. “Her stories reveal the everyday humanity of our nation's leaders, reminding us that even in the halls of power, there's room for kindness and personal connection.”
A unique perspective on power
During the oral history interview, Greg Herrell shared a special memory from 1963. He was just 10 years old and interested in the Civil War. “My parents took me to Gettysburg to see the battlefield,” said Greg Herrell. “When former President Eisenhower found out Mom was there, he invited us for a visit. The president showed this 10-year-old boy photos of his career and talked about Winston Churchill, who I had already read about. It was as if we had just dropped in on a retired colonel next door instead of the former president of the United States. Later, Mrs. Eisenhower invited us to their home. Greeting us in her housecoat, she gave us a brief tour and visited with my parents.”
This casual interaction with one of America's most prominent figures illustrates the unique position held by Genevieve Herrell — trusted and valued by those at the pinnacle of power, yet maintaining a down-to-earth approach to her extraordinary circumstances.
Preserving a legacy of service
"Virginia Tech's acceptance of this collection will help preserve the life of a special person who happened to be my mom,” said Greg Herrell. “She also observed and cared for the people who led our country. Her life is an example of the countless people who serve but are seldom remembered.”
In an era of political polarization, Genevieve Herrell's story serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that exists beyond partisan lines. Her collection provides valuable historical insights and inspires future generations to approach public service with compassion and dignity.
“We now live in an age where public officials in particular are vilified and demeaned because of their political beliefs,” said Greg Herrell. “One can certainly disagree, protest, and speak out. But it should not be an excuse to forget our leaders are abundantly human and share many of the same fears and eccentricities we all have. I believe my mom’s service at the White House is a reminder of how we should treat those in the public arena as well as our neighbor next door.”
Indispensable and irreplaceable
From assisting Eisenhower in Geneva in 1956 to accompanying Nixon to Moscow in 1972, Herrell's career was filled with remarkable experiences. When even on maternity leave, Eisenhower was said to have asked where she was and advised she would not be replaced while she was out. He also mentioned her in his memoir, “Mandate for Change.” She formed a special bond with first lady Betty Ford, as they were close in age, and often traveled with heron trips throughout the U.S. and China. Betty Ford also attended Herrell’s retirement party in January of 1977 at the White House, a testament to the deep connections she forged.
In 2013, Genevieve Herrell passed away, leaving behind her White House nurse legacy, now available for research and study by current and future generations of scholars in the University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives.
“She is greatly missed but her memory and role in our history will now be preserved,” said Greg Herrell. “She had a remarkable life.”
A chance to view history
Community Collections Archivist Anthony Wright de Hernandez is organizing a small exhibit featuring the rare presidential Christmas cards, prints, and memorabilia from the White House during the many 20th century presidential administrations. These will be displayed in Special Collections and University Archives’ reading room through Dec. 20. Wright de Hernandez will curate a more robust exhibit next year after the collection is fully processed.
