Upon the family’s move to Washington D.C. in the spring of 1919, Frances threw threw herself into the capitol’s social and political scene. One of the
expectations for a political wife was to spend certain days “at home,” which entailed her spending the entire day at home in order to receive and entertain callers. Senator’s wives were scheduled for Thursdays, while Supreme Court wives had Monday, Congressional representative’s wives on Tuesdays, and the rest of the week was divided among political spouses. It was an exhausting, and expensive part of the life of a political wife, having to feed and entertain dozens of people each week. Frances would also attend dinner parties with her husband – mingling with the political elite. Because she was free of the repercussions of associating across the aisle, Frances became friends with people regardless of their political affiliation, at one point defending a Southern Democrat, despite being the wife of a Northern Republican, during a dinner party when she noticed his wife was almost in tears. Her apolitical approach to the society of Washington D.C. made Frances immensely popular, and created friendships that would last throughout her life.
While she may have been apolitical with people, this did not keep Frances from becoming politically active and involved. She enjoyed watching debates from the wive’s balcony in the Senate chamber, and would eventually write on contemporary political issues. Her husband’s political beliefs did not stop her, and she would even advocate for legislation Henry actively opposed, giving speeches on the Senate floor.
While in D.C. she also discovered her passion for historic restoration and preservation, and restored their historic home in the capital. Frances also began to work to preserve historic sites, and advocated for legislation to preserve and restore Arlington among other sites.
Further Reading:
All Flags Flying – Frances Parkinson Keys
Letters from a Senator’s Wife – Frances Parkinson Keyes
Capital Kaleidoscope: The Story of a Washington Hostess – Frances Parkinson Keyes
Sources:
Frances Keyes, All Flags Flying (1972).
Frances Keyes, Letters from a Senator’s Wife (1924).