Meet Our Founder

Mary Regula had a varied career as a schoolteacher, Congressional spouse and mother of three children. She distinguished herself in service to her community and nation through dedication to education, her involvement in numerous volunteer activities, and personal leadership. She reached out to people through her inspirational and historical programs.   Mary received an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Mount Union College in May, 1999, and, in May 2004, The University of Akron bestowed on her an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in Education.  She was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in October, 1999.   Her most outstanding accomplishment is being the founder of the National First Ladies’ Library (now the National First Ladies Library & Museum.

Community service, TV appearances, and numerous civic awards kept Mary in the forefront of issues regarding women in today's society. Mary appeared on the "TODAY" show as Chairman of the "Made in the USA" project and discussed the organization's mission to encourage Americans to buy products manufactured domestically. As President of the National Congressional Club, she was interviewed by Roger Mudd on "McNeil-Lehrer" where she defended Congressional spouses' right to work. She received special award recognition from the League of Women Voters and a Presidential citation for her community outreach on women's issues from Malone University in Ohio. In 1996, she was the first woman to receive the Women Helping Women Award from Soroptomist International. She was also made an honorary member of the organization. Mary also serves as an honorary member of "PACE", which is a project that serves domestic violence victims. Mrs. Regula's background in American History, in which she received a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Union College in Ohio, has served her well. She is a member of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, the Smithsonian Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Ohio Historical Society. 

Mrs. Regula's leadership and activism in the area of education demonstrates her commitment to lifelong learning. She taught on both the elementary and secondary levels. She was the former President of the National Cabinet of Mount Union Women, where she founded the first National Student Women's Scholarship. She was well-known speaker and lecturer and regularly lectures on topics related to women, United States history and First Ladies. Her presentations include "First Ladyship: Powers and Influence," "Ohio's First Ladies," "Life of Mary Todd Lincoln," "Miracle in Philadelphia," "Inside the White House,” "Our Nation's Capitol," and "Christmas at the White House."

It was through Mary's research on history and First Ladies that she discovered the educational void regarding information about First Ladies and other women who have contributed so much to our nation's history. Determined to make it easier for others to learn about these great historical figures, Mary assembled a board of 13 people to raise the funds and hire a historian to create a complete 40,000-entry bibliography on all first ladies from Martha Washington to the current First Lady.   It is the cornerstone of the National First Ladies’ Library & Museum and now the First Ladies National Historic Site.   

Mary was married to the late U. S. Representative Ralph Regula and resided on a farm in Stark County, Ohio. They had three children and four grandchildren.

Timeline History of the National First Ladies’ Library & Museum

1995 – The first official meeting is held with the with founding board of the National First Ladies Library. Mary Regula, Suzanne Timken, and 13 members are founding members.

1997 – The organization is incorporated in District of Columbia under legal name National First Ladies’ Library. A National Board of Directors, National Advisory Board and Local Site Committee are formed. 501 (c) (3) nonprofit status is achieved.

1998 – The official announcement of the formation of new national organization, National First Ladies’ Library, is announced at Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. In February, the web site is officially unveiled at press conference in East Room of White House. First Lady Hillary Clinton makes first “hit” on web site and accesses her own bibliographic records. In June, the Grand Opening and Dedication of Saxton-McKinley House is held in Canton, Ohio, as the home of National First Ladies’ Library. Ribbon is cut by Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and a Victorian Gala is attended by 300 + people.

1999 – The National First Ladies Library hires its first Executive Director, Patricia Krider, and accepts the donation of City National Bank Building from Saxton family descendant Marshall Belden. In January 2000, the National First Ladies Library receives a $2.5 million Save America’s Treasures Match Grant to renovate the bank building. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visits Canton, Ohio and tours National First Ladies’ Library home – the Ida Saxton McKinley House. She announces City National Bank Building “Official Project” of Save America’s Treasures – a millennium project initiative of President and Mrs. Clinton. The building will become National First Ladies’ Library Education and Research Center.

2000 – A bill signed by President Bill Clinton establishes the First Ladies National Historic Site. The National First Ladies’ Library operates and manages the site under a cooperative agreement with National Park Service.

2003 – The former Rotary Park and the adjacent surface parking lot next to the Saxton House is donated to National First Ladies’ Library; Rotary Park is renamed First Ladies Park. In September, the renovation of the Saxton House is completed. First Lady Laura Bush dedicates the Education and Research Center (formerly the City National Bank Building; now the National First Ladies Library & Museum) in Canton.

2005 – Michelle Gullion is hired as the organization’s first professional curator and archivist.

2011 – The Education and Research Center (formerly City National Bank; now the National First Ladies Library & Museum) is donated to the National Park Service and becomes part of the First Ladies National Historic Site. 

2017 – The organization’s first President & CEO, Jennifer Highfield, is hired.

2018 – Founder Mary Regula passes away.

2023 – The organization’s second President & CEO, Patty Dowd Schmitz, is hired. The organization officially changes its name to National First Ladies Library & Museum to reflect its growth as a destination site for tens of the thousands of visitors from across the country.