Shopping Souvenir Plate

Shopping was one of the First lady's favorite pastimes. She would buy clothes and jewelry for herself and assorted gifts for friends, family, and employees. But she also enjoyed accumulating inexpensive, kitschy mementoes. Purchases like the presidential plate from a nearby Stuckey's souvenir stand reflected her unpretentious, down-to-earth nature. The plate cost approximately $2.99. Many of the Secret Service agents dreaded the First Lady's shopping excursions. If the agents were married, she would insist they purchase a gift for their wives. Before long, only the bachelor agents seemed to be available to accompany Mamie shopping.

Ike and Mamie depicted on a souvenir plate. Mamie Eisenhower purchased this plate at a Stuckey's store, located on Emmitsburg Road near their home at Gettysburg.