4 follies
1
Truman’s Folly
It became known as “Truman’s Balcony”, but it was not a popular idea at the time.
Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, by J. B. West and Mary Lynn Kotz (More doodles inspired by this book)
2
Bob’s Folly
Even Robert Livington’s own family was skeptical, with a cousin saying “Bob has had a bee in his bonnet before now, but this steam folly will prove the worse one yet.”
Spoiler! It wasn’t.
Bob’s Folly: Fulton,Livingston and the Steamboat, by Travis M. Bowman
3
Seward’s Folly
(also known as Seward’s Icebox and Seward’s Polar Bear Garden)
Not everybody was into Secretary of State William Seward’s plan to buy Alaska. Originally a skeptic, Charles Sumner (chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee) researched the heck out of the territory and his mind was changed. He addressed congress and the treaty was signed.
Andrew Johnson: The American Presidents Series: The 17th President, 1865-1869, by Annette Gordon-Reed
4
Clinton’s Folly
(also known as Clinton’s Ditch)
De Witt Clinton (not to be confused with the other Clintons) was the “Father of the Erie Canal.” Not everybody had high hopes for it.
For now, I’m limiting my folly collection to follies I’ve read about. But I’m adding a placeholder for Folly Castle Petersburg, in case it ever comes up in my reading. (Thanks to Jay for the heads up about it.)
