August 2011. Seated on the Court.

In a rather modest home on the banks of scenic Bayou Lafourche near Thibodaux, a young man grew up who would go on to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Edward Douglass White was appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1894, and in 1910 he was elevated by President William Howard Taft to the position of Chief Justice. It was a controversial appointment at the time, and probably would be today, because White was a Democrat while Taft was a Republican.

In commemoration of the centennial of his service, the Supreme Court is mounting an exhibition, Court and Country in Transition: The Edward D. White Court, which will include this chair.

“His wife bought it from the Supreme Court after he died,” explains Katie Hall, “There are only a couple of things that we have that were actually owned by him. And one of them was this chair.”

Hall is Curator of Decorative Arts for the Louisiana State Museum, which oversees the spot where this furniture item is usually on display, the National Historic Landmark that was White’s home—as well as that of his father, Edward Douglas White, who was governor of Louisiana from 1835 to 1839. (Interesting how the family distinguished father from son with an extra “s” in the middle name.)

One of the chair’s unique properties was how it was designed to adapt to the seasons—the seat converted easily from woven cane in summer to plush cushion in winter.

The exhibit will be on view through next summer, but if your travel plans don’t include a visit to the Supreme Court, closer to home you can trace White’s career in politics and law through exhibits at the E.D. White Historic Site and plantation home on Bayou Lafourche.

Details. Details. Details.

E. D. White Historic Site
2295 LA Highway 1
Thibodaux, La
(985) 447-0915

Tuesday—Saturday 10 am–4:30 pm. Closed Sunday, Monday and state holidays. Free admission.

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