From Slavery to the White House, the Ficklin Family Served Presidents for Nearly 8 Decades

One family's remarkable history of service at the White House spanning 13 presidencies

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:42pm

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The Ficklin family, starting with James Strother Ficklin who was born into slavery, served as butlers and ushers at the White House for nearly 80 years across 13 presidencies from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama. Woodson Ficklin worked at the White House for 44 years, while his son Wrory Ficklin had a 40-year career on the National Security Council staff, making them one of the longest-serving families in the history of the executive mansion.

Why it matters

The Ficklin family's story represents an important part of African American history and the history of the United States, demonstrating how one family overcame the legacy of slavery to become a constant presence at the highest levels of government for generations. Their service also highlights the critical role that White House staff play in supporting the presidency and maintaining the traditions of the executive office.

The details

James Strother Ficklin was born into slavery around 1854 in Virginia, later working as a water boy for the Confederate army during the Civil War. After emancipation, he moved to Ohio and eventually bought land in Virginia, raising 10 children including John Woodson Ficklin. Woodson Ficklin moved to Washington in 1934 and began working as a White House butler, eventually becoming head butler and overseeing White House social events for 13 presidents. His son Wrory Ficklin also had a 40-year career at the White House, working on the National Security Council staff.

  • James Strother Ficklin was born around 1854 in Rappahannock County, Virginia.
  • Woodson Ficklin began working as a White House butler in 1939.
  • Woodson Ficklin became head butler in 1967 and served until his retirement in 1983.
  • Wrory Ficklin joined the National Security Council staff in 1975 and served until his retirement in 2015.
  • Wrory Ficklin attended a state dinner at the White House in 2015.

The players

James Strother Ficklin

Woodson Ficklin's father, who was born into slavery around 1854 in Virginia, worked as a water boy for the Confederate army during the Civil War, and later moved to Ohio and Virginia where he raised 10 children.

Woodson Ficklin

The son of a former slave, he worked as a White House butler starting in 1939, eventually becoming head butler and overseeing White House social events for 13 presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan.

Wrory Ficklin

Woodson Ficklin's son, who had a 40-year career on the National Security Council staff, including serving as a special assistant to President Obama for national security affairs.

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What they’re saying

“Everything was perfect and we are grateful.”

— President Jimmy Carter

“Our family is most grateful to you for the time and interest you devote to make each occasion so enjoyable and memorable for our guests and for us.”

— First Lady Patricia Nixon

“Those are my boys. I trained them.”

— Woodson Ficklin, White House Butler

What’s next

Wrory Ficklin plans to continue sharing his family's remarkable story through speaking engagements and his book 'An Unusual Path: Three Generations from Slavery to the White House'.

The takeaway

The Ficklin family's nearly 80-year legacy of service at the White House is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome the injustices of slavery to make meaningful contributions to the highest levels of government. Their story is an important part of both African American history and the history of the United States.