Chastine Bruce
Cite this Page
"Chastine Bruce," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/869.
- Position
- Grounds Laborer
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1942
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Chastine Bruce was born on November 1, 1883, in King George County, Virginia. (1) Bruce worked as a laborer for the National Park Service and as early as 1929, he was assigned to the White House under the supervision of Head Gardener Charles Henlock. (2) In 1942, his World War II draft card listed his place of work as “near Bureau of Engraving” which indicates that he likely worked in the White House greenhouses close to the Bureau on the National Mall. These facilities provided greenery and florals for White House events, but they were demolished later in 1942 for a local highway expansion project. (3) This may have affected Bruce’s position; by 1950, the census listed his occupation as “help park cars & help carpenters” at “District Garage.” (4) Chastine Bruce passed away on February 20, 1962, and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. (5)
- (1) Chastine Bruce in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, National Archives at St. Louis; St Louis, MO, USA; 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: 009, Ancestry.com.
(2) Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Chastine Bruce in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 26A; Enumeration District: 0332; FHL microfilm: 2340036, Ancestry.com.
(3) Chastine Bruce in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, National Archives at St. Louis; St Louis, MO, USA; 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: 009, Ancestry.com.
(4) Chastine Bruce in the 1950 United States Federal Census, National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 2525; Page: 10; Enumeration District: 1-1230, Ancestry.com.
(5) “Bruce, Chastine,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), February 22, 1962, pg. 20. - Birthplace
- King George County, Virginia, USA