18. Marjorie tried to donate Mar a Lago to the United States Government
Following the rejection by Florida of the proposal to convert Mar a Lago into an educational facility, Marjorie turned to the United States government. As President, Harry Truman enjoyed spending time during the winter months at Key West, using the Naval Base Commandant’s Quarters as what he called the Winter White House. Kennedy too spent some winter week’s in the Kennedy Compound in Florida. Johnson preferred his ranch in Texas, and Nixon had his own winter retreat in Key Biscayne. Marjorie hit upon the idea of donating Mar a Lago to the government for use as an official Winter White House. The property would be operated by the US Navy, which also operated Camp David, the Presidential yachts, and the White House Mess.
After Marjorie died her trust, the Post Foundation continued to lobby the federal government to accept the estate, as well as an annual endowment to help defray costs. Marjorie died in 1973, 86 years of age. Her will gave Mar a Lago to the government, citing it as a Winter White House. President Ford preferred to take his winter vacations skiing in Vail, and other resorts. One of President Carter’s early actions in office decommissioned the Presidential Yachts. His successor, Ronald Reagan, preferred his California ranch. In 1981 the US government returned the Palm Beach estate to the Post Foundation, citing the excessive costs of accepting it for other use. Another problem was the potential costs of providing sufficient security, given its location in the flight path for Palm Beach’s airport.
