Rollin’ on Down the Line: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights

Event and announcement by Martin Mongiello

On February 11, we’re opening our home—and our hearts—for an evening where history rides the rails and dinner tells the truth. We are honored to welcome Professor Lyons, who will be speaking about and showcasing her latest book, Rollin’ on Down the Line, a powerful account of Lady Bird Johnson—born Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson—and her 1964 whistle-stop tour for civil rights.

This wasn’t a polite sightseeing trip. It was courage on steel wheels. One train stop at a time, Lady Bird—Claudia, to those who really knew her story—carried the message of civil rights straight into places where it wasn’t wanted, but desperately needed. Quiet resolve. Strategic grace. And nerves of iron.

If you can’t make it that evening, we’ll be streaming a world broadcast at 11:00 a.m., because history shouldn’t be limited by geography. Then, at 6:00 p.m., we gather in person, where stories leave the page and land on the plate. Professor Lyons will deliver a featured speech and presentation, followed by a book signing, giving guests the chance to meet the author, continue the conversation, and take a signed copy of Rollin’ on Down the Line home with them.

Now let me be clear about the food. When we cook in our home, it’s never just a meal. It’s a gift of love. I don’t measure recipes with cups; I measure them with memory. I stir the pot the way I was taught—slow, patient, and paying attention. These dishes were meant to bring people together, not impress a critic.

That evening, we’ll be serving favorite family recipes from Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson—food with backbone, purpose, and zero pretense:

• LBJ’s Pedernales River chili, ladled generously over Saffron Rice Texas Style as often served, exactly, at the ranch in Texas.
• Mexicali Corn with Red and Green Peppers, humble and honest.
• The Johnson’s Fresh Western salad, prepared from the original White House recipe.
• LBJ’s famous ranch beans, slow-cooked and unapologetic – sold worldwide today.
• Bojangles Fried chicken with Lady Bird Johnson’s Stunning Barbecue Sauce—sweet, smoky, and persuasive. As served by Mongiello’s in Washington, DC.
• Homemade peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream, because if you’re going to talk about justice, you should do it with dessert on the table.

Food has always been a form of diplomacy. A good meal lowers defenses faster than a speech—and I’ve seen more deals, confessions, and truths come out over chili than across a conference table.

In that same spirit, the food prepared in our home is offered as a gift of love, and we are suggesting a donation of $20.26 per guest to the Cleveland County Democratic Party. If you attend with three other people, that means four donations of $20.26—made via ActBlue, cash or by writing a check directly to the Cleveland County Democratic Party. No ticket price. No transactions at the door. Just neighbors supporting the ongoing work of democracy. Because democracy, like cooking, doesn’t survive on good intentions alone. It survives when people show up, put something real into it, and stay long enough to listen.

Come for the history. Come hungry. Leave inspired—and maybe a little braver than when you arrived.

If you are unable to attend the 6:00 PM live event, you may watch the 11:00 AM livestream event: https://www.youtube.com/live/HWrYFJ9Yc80