Hello to all!
One day a few months back, I was pouring over accession records in our small county museum when one record in particular caught my eye. According to the record, a coat that once belonged to Richard Nixon's mother was in our posession.  It had been worn to President Nixon's 1969 Inauguration by his aunt, Mrs. Jane Beeson.  I would love to display this coat with other items that link our county with the presidency but unfortunately...I can't find it!  I have located a coat in storage which I think fits the bill but it doen't have any identifying marks or tags whatsoever!
 
In my attempt to identify the mysterious Nixon/Beeson coat I have:
1. Contacted the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda in hopes that Mrs. Beeson could be seen in a inauguration day family photo wearing the coat.  No such photo was found.
2. Contacted a Nixon Archives staffer which special photo knowledge.  He explained that 1973 inaguration photos were more plentiful than 1969 photos and some of the collection has not been processed. He also could not locate a Beeson photo.
3.  Contacted a photo archivist with the Washingtoniana Division at the MLK Library in Washington D.C. She was not able to locate any photos either.
 
Sigh. While everyone I have spoken with has been very nice and eager to help (especially Nixon Museum staff!), none have been able to locate a photo of Mrs. Beeson wearing the coat. Hopefully a member of this list can point me in another direction.  Any ideas?
Here is what I know so far:
 
1. Jane Beeson was the sister of President Nixon's mother, a resident of Lindsay, and member of the Lindsay Friends Church (which doesn't exist anymore).  She died in 1988 at age 98.
2. The coat was donated in 1978 by Mrs. Ethel Lander. (relation to Mrs. Beeson unknown)
3. The record describes the coat only as "black".
4. Phonecalls to Tulare County residents named "Beeson" or "Lander" have not lead anywhere.
5. Phonecalls to a Mrs. Barbara Juarez of La Mirada (potentially Mrs. Beeson's daughter) go unanswered.
 
ANY IDEAS? I can forward photos of potential coats to all who ask if necessary. Thanks to all!
 
-Staci
Assistant, Tulare County Museum
Visalia, CA
 
 
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