Raab’s Guest Curator Massee McKinley reflects on his personal experiences and insights as both a collector and a presidential descendant in this selection of historical documents
Massee McKinley is certainly no stranger to the study of history; he is, after all, descended from one American president, Grover Cleveland, and related to another, William McKinley. He is also the Cofounder, Vice President, and Chief of Staff of The Society of Presidential Descendants and Co-chair of the National First Ladies Day Commission. McKinley has spent time traveling to historical sites all over the world, meeting fellow members of historic families, and building a historical collection of his own.
Connections to History: Curated by Massee McKinley
In this exhibit of 8 remarkable documents, Massee McKinley highlights some important historical facts and figures but also shares his connection to it all, bringing history alive. To that end, he also shares a few personal photos of the people and places that have inspired him along the way.
President William McKinley Ends the Spanish American War Hostilities
The American voters elected Republican William McKinley as its 25th president in 1896. McKinley confronted a major foreign policy crisis after the USS Maine mysteriously blew up near Cuba on February 15, 1898. At first, McKinley hoped to broker a diplomatic solution with Cuba’s Spanish occupiers. However, popular outrage over the “Maine” disaster, among other factors, forced McKinley to seek a congressional declaration of war against Spain in April 1898. America won the resulting four-month conflict.
An in-depth analysis clearly shows that public opinion plays a key role in presidential decision-making, and McKinley’s case was no different. Support for war rose steadily through two months of negotiations – which newspapers like the Hearst-owned “San Francisco Examiner” summarized in headlines that stated, “If There Was Treachery, Spain Must Do Battle.” By mid-April, newspapers openly urged Congress to declare war without presidential approval. Faced with mounting pressure from the press and hawks in his own party, McKinley requested a formal declaration of war on April 20, 1898. Congress voted the same day to recognize Cuba’s independence and to demand that Spain give up control of the island. Spain refused and severed diplomatic ties. McKinley ordered a naval blockade on April 22 and Spain promptly declared war on the United States. Congress voted to declare war on April 25.
The McKinley document ending the Spanish War is stunning. Never in all my years of witnessing the history of McKinley Family heirlooms being passed from generation to generation, have I seen a document that is this monumental and consequential. The fact that this document bears the title “Executive Mansion” is even more special. McKinley was the last president to use stationery bearing this title. After McKinley was assassinated and sadly died, Theodore Roosevelt became president and changed the official letterhead bearing the bold title, “The White House.”
McKinley’s signature changed very little through the years. During his early years, while he was an attorney and congressman, McKinley would sign, “Wm. McKinley or Wm. McKinley, Jr.” The full signature only became constant after he became president. In my humble opinion, I believe William McKinley has one of the most regal signatures of all the United States presidents.
“The McKinley document ending the Spanish War is stunning. Never in all my years of witnessing the history of McKinley Family heirlooms being passed from generation to generation, have I seen a document that is this monumental and consequential.”
Winston Spencer Churchill has always been a fascinating historical figure. His name became front and center in my life when I befriended his great-grandson, Duncan Sandys. Duncan and I have been friends now since 2016. Because of this friendship, I have traveled to England with Duncan and witnessed Chartwell, Churchill’s beloved estate, in a very intimate way. I toured Chartwell with Duncan and his son and even got a special treat of visiting Winston’s personal bedroom. The room is quite quaint and suitable for an English gentleman. In this room contains a massive leather chair which Winston spent many an hour reading, studying and writing. The bedroom also contained a bed with book shelving covering half of the bed. He designed both the bed and leather chair personally. The room also contained a gentleman’s vanity with a retractable mirror. Winston designed this mirror so he would never miss a beautiful Chartwell sunrise or sunset. I have seen the sunset from his bedroom window and it’s stunning. In the later part of his life, he wrote and read so voraciously that you would think he was running out of time. But we know the rest of that story – for Winston lived to the ripe old age of 90, passing away on January 24, 1965.
The “finest hour” quotation document has special meaning not only to the British people, but also to all the rest of the free world. His famous quote: “Let us brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Commonwealth and Empire last for a thousand years, men will say: This was their finest hour” serves as a reminder that freedom is not free without the blood, sweat and tears of its citizenry.
This letter is pretty special to me for two reasons. First, as Cleveland’s 2nd great-grandson, this letter exemplifies his tenacity. That trait has been passed down through the generations, including me. Grover was always quite the hard worker. From being an attorney, Sheriff of Erie County, NY, Mayor of Buffalo, NY, Governor of New York to becoming the 22nd and 24th U.S. President, Grover always strived for greatness. He always campaigned on being transparent and prided himself on exhibiting honesty and integrity. Second, Cleveland holds the distinction of being the first U.S. president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms. Donald J. Trump now becomes the second president to accomplish this feat.
My cousin George Cleveland, who very much resembles Grover, is quick to point this out—as he states, “this was bound to happen at some point…just another mark in the history books.”
This particular letter, from President Lincoln to Stanton, is quite special to me as I own one of the same but with a different topic of concern. In the letter I own, Lincoln writes asking a favor to reinstate an acquaintance to a Marshall’s position within a certain district. The letter is written almost one year to the day of his assassination. My letter was written April 20, 1864, Lincoln was assassinated April 15, 1865.
The Raab Collection letter of Lincoln is written on Executive Mansion stationery with his typical A. Lincoln signature. I find Lincoln’s handwriting easy to read compared to my maternal ancestor, Grover Cleveland. Cleveland’s hand is very hard to decipher; however, I have become quite skilled at reading his letters. To be uneducated, Lincoln’s mind and his writings are quite complex – as he has a great command of the English language. In all my studies of Lincoln, he was quite the delegator of duties and tasks. However, this letter demonstrates that he is quite capable of intervening and sticking his hand into matters at the highest levels of government.
I am friends with U.S. Grant’s 2nd great-grandson, Ulysses Grant Dietz, as he is a part of the organization I co-founded, The Society of Presidential Descendants. This Lincoln letter was written the same month that U.S. Grant was promoted to command Lincoln’s Northern Armies.
I personally own a Washington countersigned document. My document is inconsequential and far less important than this document in the Raab Collection. The fact that Washington writes this letter in the heat of the American Revolution is historic. The plea to Robert Morris, a major financier of the Continental Army, is quite convincing as Washington pleads for more money and prepares to make the historic crossing of the Delaware. I do believe that this letter shows strength and courage, but it also shows vulnerability – as Washington knows that the British are planning a major attack at some point on Washington’s armies.
I have a great friend in Mount Vernon’s Doug Bradburn. He is president there and has graciously allowed me to witness several important letters, documents and even clothing of both George and Martha Washington in their permanent collection. The Mount Vernon’s Ladies’ Association was the first national historic preservation organization and is the oldest women’s patriotic society in the United States. The ladies there have done a spectacular job of preservation; their work deserves the American people’s respect and admiration.
“…This letter shows strength and courage, but it also shows vulnerability.”
Magnificent Thomas Jefferson Free Frank, From an Important Letter to the Signer Benjamin Harrison
Anything “free frank” has always fascinated me. I have to believe that Founding Father Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea since he was the first Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service and the phrase “Free Frank” bears a good portion of his last name. But every good assumption must find its way to truth. Upon further investigation and reading, this benefit began in England during the 18th century by members of Parliament, the Council, and persons acting in a public capacity.
In the many years of my historical document/autograph collecting, I have witnessed more “free frank” documents of Jefferson than any other president. This tells me that he probably wrote more letters and corresponded with more individuals than any other Founding Father.
Without a doubt, Franklin is at the top of the list of my favorite Founding Fathers. His intellect, wit, wisdom and diplomatic spirit inspire me. If there was any of the Founding Fathers that I would relish having a beer with, it would definitely be Benjamin Franklin. What a joy and experience that would be! Again, the whole idea of Franklin having some influence on the term “free frank” is still a good story to me. I am a storyteller so I will always wow my audience, either in writing or spoken word, with the idea of Franklin having some influence on this term.
I am fascinated by Franklin’s use of the moniker, “B. Free Franklin.” He was brilliant and defiant all in the same breath. Even Franklin had inklings of freedom in 1768.
John Adams has always been a favorite of mine. I think his cantankerous spirit makes me chuckle but at the same time, I respect that spirit because I truly believe that Adams was the conscience of the United States Congress. When others became overly passionate in debate, Adams kept his cool and gave the pros and cons of every debate. I am personal friends with a 7th-generation descendant of both John and JQ Adams, Ben Adams. We have chatted frequently about Adams not being liked by many of the Founding Fathers, yet he was always respected.
John Hancock was a giant benefactor of the American Revolution. His personal wealth allowed Washington to keep his troops fed, clothed and mostly satisfied. He is an icon in the American Revolutionary circles. The fact that Adams and Hancock both signed this document is significant and consequential. Both men likely had egos a mile long, yet they came together for the common good of the founding of this nation. Both men are legendary, as both signed the Declaration of Independence.
To learn more about Massee McKinley and Raab’s Guest Curators program, read our announcement and visit our Guest Curators page.
