Harry D. Waters
Cite this Page
"Harry D. Waters," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/738.
- Positions
- Messenger
- Dog Keeper
- Checker
- Years in President's House
- 1929 – 1961
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Harry D. Waters was born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 18, 1895.1 As a young man, he sold copies of The Afro-American newspaper, and later founded the United Investment Company of New Jersey.2 He first joined the White House staff in 1929. A newspaper interview suggests he may have initially held a political role in the Calvin Coolidge administration, but by Herbert Hoover’s presidency, Waters’ title was “Master of Hounds.”3 He cared for the first family’s many dogs, including King Tut, Pat, and Weegie. The 1930 census even lists him as “veterinarian” at the White House.4 Outside of work, Waters was the president of the Chandelier Club– a social group made up of Black domestic workers at the White House.5 By the time that Waters retired in 1961, he was supervisor of the White House messenger staff. He died in April 1967.6
- Harry D Waters in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the District of Columbia; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 072, Ancestry.com.
- Frederick Weaver, “Assistant White House Clerk,” The Afro-American, September 9, 1933, pg. 17, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1041611444/?match=1&terms=Harry Waters "master of hounds".
- “Harry D. Waters,” The Washington Daily News, April 24, 1967, pg. 17, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1042254986/?match=1&terms=Harry Waters "master of hounds"; “Dogs with White House Residence,” Albuquerque Journal, June 20, 1930, pg. 3.
- “First Family’s Pets,” Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, https://hoover.archives.gov/hoovers/first-familys-pets; Harry Waters in the 1930 US Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0027; FHL microfilm: 2340027, Ancestry.com.
- “Chandelier Club,” Washington Tribune, February 26, 1932, pg. 5, Chronicling America, https://lccn.loc.gov/sn87062236.
- “Died,” Jet, May 11, 1967, pg. 26; “Harry D. Waters,” The Washington Daily News, April 24, 1967, pg. 17, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1042254986/?match=1&terms=Harry Waters "master of hounds". Burial information is not included in Waters’ obituary.
- Birthplace
- Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Unclear from Context
- Related Workers
- Robert R. RobinsonHousekeeping and Laundry, Gardens, Grounds, and Flower Shop, Valets, Lady's Maids, and First Family Attendants, circa 1928 – 1929
- Vernon SpenserGardens, Grounds, and Flower Shop, circa 1930 – 1932
- Related Association Content
- https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-chandelier-club