Frye Mansion Washington D.C.

The Frye Mansion High above the Potomac

Arlington Virginia (Washington D.C.)

"For a moment in time this stately TWA executive mansion played a role that boggles the mind! An entertainment venue which hosted dignitaries like the White House, as music spilled out over the pool and gardens down to the banks of the Potomac River. Partnerships were clinched, countries came together, history was forged, & TWA empowered & encompassed the world! A colonial mansion resided in by two remarkable people, a couple so charming & charismatic, that 80 years later they are remembered as legends! With a seemingly endless circle of friends, TWA's Jack & Helen Frye rolled out a red carpet welcoming all to the Camelot Years of Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) & the glorious Future of Aviation!"

Locating a Power Center for TWA

Hillcrest Farm was Jack and Helen's Washington D.C. estate in the state of Virginia. A stately brick mansion, said to be seen from Washington D.C., Hillcrest is one of the older historic colonials, resting above Arlington on the banks of the Potomac River, adjoining Falls Church, VA. The Frye’s occupancy was such an exciting and historical timeframe (1944-1947) that many remember this residence even more so than the Frye Ranch at Sedona Arizona. This in spite of the fact that Jack and Helen actually only resided at this Potomac mansion for approximately 4 years. Helen Vanderbilt Frye personally found this home at the beginning of 1944, after many months of searching for the perfect location. Subsequently, it was leased as a TWA executive residence. The objective was to set up a TWA "White House" to be utilized during the war years. This estate, along with Jack's Washington D.C. office, had one purpose only- to strategically secure all international routes for Transcontinental and Western Air! Jack needed a D.C. location that could be utilized to entertain the very highest levels of government, corporate, and political associates.

The property needed accommodation for overnight guests, and, as well, full-time staff. Two particular members of this staff were a professional chef, Evangeline, and her husband, Aubrey (the property caretaker and limo chauffeur). These two employees became intimate and treasured members of Jack and Helen's family. So much so that their son (also named Aubrey) became Jack and Helen's godson. Evangeline soon became one of Helen's most treasured lifelong friends and also helped Helen furnish the empty rooms of this 200-year-old estate. Helen enrolled herself and Evangeline in classes to learn about antiques and tapestries. Then they both spent months traveling all over the East Coast buying up just the right furnishings to represent TWA at the estate.

The mansion was built in approximately 1740. During the Frye ownership the property consisted of 70 acres of land with riding trails and gardens. Two interesting aspects of the mansion was the “pink" powder room which Helen had designed, very unusual for the time, and a cement swimming pool (more common in California). Because the mansion was the social hub of TWA, it was also renovated, it was said, with 6 bars, all fully stocked. According to Arlington Living Magazine writer Daisy Kahlifa, who interviewed me for her article, Jack Frye had 6 telephone trunk lines, and 52 extensions installed at the mansion. Other improvements were a large "Olympic-size" swimming pool built near the main house. Kahlifa stated the pool was imported piece by piece from California and flown over by Jack on TWA airliners. Jack and Helen both enjoyed the pool as did many of the "Who's Who" of the time period. The estate functioned not only as a D.C. residence for Jack and Helen, but as well, a strategic power center for TWA official business and socializing. Many deals were created here that benefited the world of aviation and the United States Government. The press coined the residence "The TWA Mansion".

Press Photo Op- Jack & Helen Frye at the Mansion

TWA Creates an Entertainment Venue at Washington D.C.

Enabling TWA to Launch Trans-World Service

Securing a Power-Center for the new Trans World TWA

Helen Frye started canvassing the countryside around the Potomac River in Virginia, directly across from the White House in late 1943. What she eventually found was described in a letter, written by Helen herself in February 1944 shortly after the Frye's had settled into the TWA mansion. The first time she mentions the mansion was in a letter to a friend as below-

Helen Frye Letters Describe Mansion Life

In a letter to Frye architect John Gaw Meem in Santa Fe, N.M., Helen describes the mansion's pool area- "we have a swimming pool here in Washington that has dressing rooms under a flagstone walk around the pool and we have dickens of a time to keep the rain from leaking through. I have even had it torn up and re-cemented underneath and still it leaks badly". (January 16, 1945) Jack and Helen Frye were both avid swimmers. They swam frequently at their 5-acre estate at Overland Park Kansas which had a large pond and stream flowing through the rear of the property. They also loved to swim in Oak Creek which snaked through their 700-acre ranch at Sedona Arizona. This was the motivation that drove the Frye’s to create a beautiful swimming sanctuary at the Doubleday Mansion. They not only entertained poolside frequently but would relax in the refreshing waters late in the evenings to unwind before retiring. The pressure on Jack Frye as head of TWA before and after the war would have destroyed an average man. No one describes it better than Helen herself in letters to a Frye friend in Arizona as seen below. Note: (The pool Helen referred to was added after it was decided that the mansion would become the official executive residence for TWA. It is not known if it was a renovation.) Helen continues her narrative of "life at the Doubleday Mansion" in additional letters as seen below:

"We are now established in our country house in Washington, which in my opinion, is a pretty poor substitute for the ranch, but still very, very much better than hotel life. The house is about two hundred years old and has seventy acres of land with a lovely swimming pool. We are going to get a couple of riding horses and stock the place soon. Do you think you could ever consider an Eastern trip? Jack and I would both enjoy very much having you come and spend a month with us." Helen Frye, Hillcrest Farm, Falls Church, Virginia, February 21, 1944. "We have a new pet, which is a little unusual and I want to tell you about it. About three weeks ago right after a bad thunderstorm, Sonja, my big police dog, found a baby hawk on the lawn. He was all by himself, no momma, no papa, and he couldn't fly even downhill. I told Sonja not to hurt it and of course she didn't but she was very curious and had to sniff him all over. The hawk refused to back up an inch and sat back on his tail, put his feet up and opened his mouth and dared anyone to touch him. When I picked him up, he stuck his talons in my fingers until it was very painful, but he soon got over that and has been very gentle since. I kept him for a week. At first, I put him in the wastepaper basket at night, then inside an inverted lampshade, but finally had to settle for the top of the door to the bedroom as he was very unhappy except when he was on the highest spot in the room. One day I sat him in the window and the robins outside got very excited and the baby responded very excited too. I have known of other birds caring for young of another species when something would happen to their parents, and I thought since the baby was so anxious to get to them that they were going to adopt him. I put him out on the roof, but it was a mistake. The baby Thunderbird lost his balance and fell off the roof and only kept from hurting himself because a limb of a tree broke his fall. Then the robins started dive-bombing him and the little fellow caught on very quick; he ran for cover and was very glad to see me when I arrived. The Thunderbird won't eat anything but raw meat and seldom ever takes a drink of water but goes for lemonade once in a while. I carried him around on my shoulder every time I went outside, thinking that sooner or later he would feel confident enough to fly away, and after a week of care he did fly away. We didn't think we would ever see him again, but he showed up the next day at the pool and has been there every day since. He comes down and lights on your head or arm and makes little bird noises and eats what you have for him-- which is either parts of Sonja's horse meat or the lung or liver of a chicken. My houseman is quite fond of him too and spends his leisure hours every day giving the bird a bath. Although the swimming pool is there, and shallow water goes over the rim this Thunderbird likes his bath in a pie-pan and assisted by his own personal valet. He really soaks himself good but never drinks it. All the liquid I've ever seen him drink is blood and lemonade."

 "We have had the League of Nations represented here this week and all of them, you understand, are in direct line of business and most of it post-war planning. Col. Shoop-- who was the first man out on the invasion on 'D' day, flying a P-38, and the first man back to report-was here for a dinner of hot dogs cooked over the barbecue at the pool late one evening. His tales are very exciting and interesting, and I guess he is very lucky to be back here now, although he will return soon. He says those bombs-the robot ones-are really terrible. This fellow was test pilot for the Constellation and was on the trip coming across. We have had during the past week people from France, Holland, Arabia, China, South America, New Zealand, Egypt, Canada, Scotland, Africa.  There's no use explaining to you why my husband hasn't any time to go visiting. I am more thankful every day for the swimming pool; otherwise he would be doing like he did the last three years-- working in the hotel and office all the time. Now he often takes his people to the pool, and they can keep cool, bodily as well as mentally, while they work on their plans. Last night at midnight you would have probably gotten a kick out of seeing him and another man, like two porpoises in the pool, just leisurely moving about under a big moon. It looked like pleasure but when you got close enough to hear them, they were working on very serious business." Helen Frye, Hillcrest Farm, Falls Church (Arlington VA.) July 10, 1944.

Much wining and dining was executed by Jack and Helen, night and day, in an effort to make Transcontinental & Western Air a world enterprise. Many times, I have heard that Helen Frye played a major role in this expansion. Mysterious intimations but whatever does it mean? A woman ahead of her time; standing firmly beside the leader of TWA (not behind him). Helen obviously used her power and influence to help Jack Frye build a dream! As I often find, intimations are typically formed from the wisps of past events and are often based in fact. Jack stated “Helen could charm the pants off my associates, and she did too, until deals were signed”.

Other renovations on the Doubleday Mansion (medicine cabinets) are discussed with Frye architect John Gaw Meem (he was working on a Sedona home for the Fryes). “This old house we have remodeled here in Washington had some corner lavatories. I like them even though the medicine cabinet goes to one side or the other. The side for the best light can be chosen and they take less room. I used two of them here.” Signed Helen Frye (October 27th, 1946)

Frye Mansion Social Whirl of '44 

Two other well remembered events when the Fryes were at Doubleday Mansion- One was the marriage for movie star Julie Bishop to famous World War II pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence Shoop (who was a close friend of the Fryes). This event took place at the Virginia mansion on July 24, 1944, and was attended by close friends. The second (not held at the mansion because of the enormity of the event) was across the Potomac at the famous Statler Hotel. Here, on April 19, 1944, the Fryes hosted a party for 1500 people to commemorate the famous Constellation record breaking flight of April 17, 1944. Yes, Frye friend and TWA stockholder Howard Hughes was there, and yes contrary to popular rumors of the day, that he didn't like to touch people, he did stand graciously in the receiving line and shook nearly 1000 outstretched hands, smiling, as did the hosts of the gala, Jack and Helen Frye. This event was a huge Washington D.C. party totally forgotten by time. When the Fryes returned to Hillcrest Farm in the wee hours of the morning they were exhausted beyond words!

Frye Intimate Howard Hughes Frequent Guest at Arlington Mansion

Howard Hughes & The Cedars 

Regarding the close association between Howard Hughes, Jack and Helen Frye, and TWA, Howard was at times a visitor to the Washington Frye mansion. Media articles, published in the past, have assumed because of Howard's association with the Doubleday Mansion, "that it was owned and lived in by the billionaire Howard Hughes". I have not found any evidence to this general assumption. It must be noted that Howard disliked being in Washington in the first place and stayed there infrequently. When he did stay in D.C., he often stayed at the famous posh Mayflower Hotel where he had a private suite of rooms, not out at the mansion. Jack and Helen, too, often stayed at the Mayflower in their own suite in the early 1940's. Howard, it appears, stayed at the mansion occasionally when the Frye's were absent. The Fryes spent a considerable amount of time traveling on business to New York City, Kansas City, and Los Angeles. They were also building a large home at their ranch in Sedona Arizona from 1941 to 1950. Evangeline Brown told me that Howard had his own private rooms at the mansion which no one was allowed to enter. The house at that time had 30-some rooms. The staff were instructed to never divulge Howard's presence to reporters which were always trying to track his whereabouts. Evangeline became skilled at waiting on Howard and she and Helen learned how to cook his steaks just the way he liked them. (We have all heard the stories about Howard and his steaks and peas.) Howard, I think, enjoyed staying with the Fryes, even at their Sedona Ranch (where he stayed under an assumed name). He could relax and socialize in private. During the 1940's Jack and Helen Frye were often guests at the White House as they were associated with the Roosevelt family and Harry S. Truman. The latter was occasionally seen at the Doubleday Mansion as he and Jack were close friends. Popular lore relates that Truman and Jack often played poker together with other associates. Testament to this is Jack Frye’s sister (the late) Mrs. Sunny Frye Thomas. She related to me a story of one of the times she met the former President Truman at the dedication of the Jack Frye Training Center (Kansas City) in 1962. Also in attendance was Jack’s then wife, Nevada, and his young daughter Nevajac Frye. At the dedication, Truman nudged Sunny and kiddingly said, “I liked Jack, because he’d let me win at poker”. Jack was said to have unfettered access to the White House and Oval Office during W.W. II.  Unheard of access for a civilian and this attests to Jack's importance to the nation. 

Howard Hughes 'Oft Not Found 

One incident was about a meeting which was scheduled at the Doubleday Mansion, attended by a group of very important businessmen. Hughes was to attend but no one could find him as he was missing, yet again. Jack got together a secret recovery team and started a search. It seems Howard had been in another plane accident. Once located, somewhere in a desert, he was whisked back to Washington where he was immediately transported out to Hillcrest Farm. There he was quietly secreted to the kitchen of the mansion. Evangeline herself cleaned him up, describing him as standing at the kitchen sink of the mansion in his boxer shorts with blood and grease from head to toe. After he was presentable and dressed in appropriate attire, he entered the meeting, which by now was in progress. Hidden from the men was the fact that Howard had been in yet another accident and they were none the wiser. The nature of the meeting would have been compromised by Howard's behavior, it seems. Jack and Helen, along with others Hughes associates were always covering for Howard. It was well known in Jack's inner circle that Helen usually knew Howard's location when no one else did (they had a bond, and he trusted her). One 'oft told story unfolds that the TWA Board of Directors needed financing for new planes. Again, Howard's input was needed but no one could locate him. A call was put through to Helen Frye who said "yes, she knew where Howard was.” However, she made the TWA Board of Directors promise they would not have her followed and only then would she retrieve Howard. Once assured, Helen Frye flew to Florida. There she went to a certain park and under a certain bench she found a man sleeping under newspapers. Helen said to the man "Howard, the board has to make a decision, and you have to come with me." Howard, quietly, returned to New York City with Helen. Quite an astounding tale to be sure, but not so, when one reviews the unorthodox and bizarre life of Howard R. Hughes. Two other vaguely remembered incidents (short on details) by Frye intimates reveal another time Howard was M.I.A. Helen, again, was the only one who was able to locate him, this time on an Indian Reservation (likely 4-Corners area). The other incident Helen would relate is that she had to deliver something to Howard once at a hotel. This, likely the Washington Mayflower or in New York City. Either way she found it odd that everything in the suite was covered with towels. These incidents and many more were a enormous burden for Jack Frye who was trying to operate and launch international air service. Howard, being the largest TWA stockholder, wielded enormous power, but his inability to follow through, make decisions, and his frequent disappearing acts were crippling for TWA and caused everyone a lot of grief. Writers out there who never knew Hughes and romanticize his life as a stellar pilot and human being have no idea what he was really like as experienced by the people who had to deal with him daily. Helen had a wonderful canine companion that she rescued when she was married to Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., this German Shepherd was named Sonja and is mentioned above in letters from Hillcrest Farm to a Frye friend by Helen Frye. At Hillcrest, the dog was never allowed upstairs. This was dictated by Jack who felt the dog's place was downstairs, not in the private upstairs portion of the mansion. However, this canine proved to have quite an intuitive sense. One day in the mid-1940’s, in the wee hours of the morning the mansion’s phone rang, Jack answered it only to learn that a TWA airliner had crashed with fatalities. Somberly, he replaced the phone and sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. Helen, awake by now, was comforting him quietly. At that moment, Helen heard Sonja come up the stairs and into the large bedroom, where she walked straight over to Jack and gently laid her head in his lap. Jack was overwhelmed by the dog's sensitivity and compassion for his anguish. This, a side of Jack Frye rarely seen, a man crying for the loss of passengers he could not save. The safety of every person at TWA rested solely on Jack's shoulders, a burden not always easily carried by this ‘oft said to be “giant of a man”. From that point on, Sonja was allowed upstairs whenever she desired, and Jack would take her on flights whenever possible. In the cockpit, this former police dog, sat proudly between Jack and Helen on their private Lockheeds, and beside Jack, when he would pilot TWA ships. Thanks to Rosie Armijo and Evangeline Brown for this beautiful and touching story!

More Memories of the TWA Mansion @ Washington D.C.

Jack Frye Saves Passengers from Peril 

One last event that must be told is remembered vividly by Evangeline. This personal chef of the Frye's often flew to and from their various homes to cook for parties and dinners. This time she was flying out west with Jack and Sonja on a TWA airliner. Helen was meeting them in California. Somewhere over the Midwest, the plane encountered a blinding blizzard. The weather was so bad that the plane was being tossed around like a ping pong ball in an angry ocean. Jack sent the flight Hostess up to the cockpit to tell the pilots to land the plane A.S.A.P. The Hostess came back and told Jack she couldn't get in the cockpit and received no answer knocking on the door. Jack then stood up and made his way to the cockpit. He also couldn't get the pilots to open the door, alarmed he quickly broke the door open. To his amazement what he found was total pandemonium. The two pilots were in a state of panic and no longer had control of the plane. With conditions of zero visibility, powerful gales and icing, the ship was in peril. Jack Frye quickly relieved the overwrought captain and assumed control of the doomed airliner. Within minutes he wrestled the airliner back under control, while quickly descending to a small Midwestern airstrip. On approach he was unable to see the runway from the windshield, so he broke out a side window. From this position, his head out in the driving sleet and snow, he landed the plane safely. After the weather improved a new plane and crew were dispatched to retrieve the stranded passengers and Frye. The fate of the inexperienced pilots is not known, but surely, locking the president of the airline out of the cockpit isn't advised! "Jack Frye saved those passengers that day and if he hadn't taken control of the plane, we would have all perished for sure" exclaimed Evangeline to me! Certainly not the first story of Jack Frye's heroism and expertise as a pilot, Jack Frye, often said to be TWA’s best pilot. One wonders if the airliner was a Stratoliner, duly noted for its poor flight deck visibility.

Rough TWA Flight Over the Central Plains 

Jack Frye often flew scheduled TWA airliners, regardless of any position he held with the TWA, or any other airline he owned. One such instance was witnessed by Helen Abbott Lapham. The actual event was originally hard to pin down, but finally I found it to be June 10, 1934. The airliner was a DC-2, TWA #304, NC13714, the fourth DC2 built. Mrs. Lapham was the wife of Roger Lapham who served as the 32nd mayor of San Francisco from 1944 to 1948. This TWA flight was a chartered V.I.P. ship full of celebrities; Grand Central Terminal Burbank CA. to Newark, N.J. via Albuquerque, N.M. Jack Frye and Howard Hughes occasionally flew these V.IP. flights, as also witnessed later by Hughes intimate, Terry Moore. Ms. Moore has been heard to say that she flew several times with Jack Frye, as captain-pilot, and his wife Helen Frye, as a V.I.P. Hostess who served drinks to celebrity passengers on flights from Hollywood to N.Y. These flights may have appeared to be “showboat” flights, with Frye “grabbing a plane” (like Hughes often would do) and filling it full of celebrity friends and flying off to some Broadway show and dinner in N.Y.C. But despite the ease and frolic of the passengers these were always chartered flights and created revenue for TWA, the special attention to passengers and fun in flight, was compliments of Jack and Helen Frye. From the following we learn that Helen Frye availed herself on everyday scheduled passenger flights as well. She herself mentioned a TWA flight from the southwest to New York City in the mid-1940’s in a letter to a friend. (I assume it was a TWA Constellation.) Helen stated that she acted as the “social hostess” as she often did on such cross-country flights. This entailed helping the hostesses serve drinks and entertain the passengers. Helen related she visited the cockpit on this flight and was surprised that they were flying at 11,000 to 13,000 feet, as she did not feel they had climbed that high. (She did not mention whether Jack was onboard this trip.) Helen went on to state that she hardly sat down the entire flight as she was so busy with the passengers. So there we have it, a reference from Helen Frye herself, about her life as an occasional V.I.P. Hostess for TWA. The passengers must have loved the special attention from the beautiful, glamorous, and charming wife of the president of TWA. As I have said before, the unique thing about TWA was that Jack and Helen Frye were very young (Helen was just 35, and Jack 41, in 1945). This youthful expression and never-ending exuberance added greatly to the Camelot Years of TWA! Mrs. Lapham wrote candidly about her experience with Frye in her entertaining book, “Roving with Roger”. This book chronicled her days as the wife of a very busy politician. In the book, she describes a rough TWA flight which encountered a nasty thunderstorm. After the storm, a TWA co-pilot came back to visit and console her saying there was no reason to worry because they had the best pilot there is up in the cockpit. Mrs. Lapham had visited with Frye earlier as he was piloting the plane as captain.

Texas Chili in Washington D.C.? Oh My! 

Jack and Helen Frye entertained constantly at Hillcrest Farm, with formal dinners accompanied by live music to more relaxed intimate dinners by the pool for rushed and harried executives. One special casual dish served was Texas Chili. Jack Frye loved this southern favorite- "the hotter, the better!" Jack had Evangeline flown down to South Texas, where she was taken across the border to a little Mexican town. Here, Jack arranged for Evangeline to stay and learn how to prepare authentic Texas Chili. Jack felt that no one in the states knew how to make it properly. Finally, after a week, Evangeline returned to Washington D.C. Much to Jack's delight, she was now able to prepare his favorite Texas Chili for his many guests and friends. "You would take one bite of chili and follow with two sips of beer,” said Evangeline. "Jack would have me prepare it for him to take in the cockpit, so he could eat it on flights, and for his friends to take it home, as well" said Evangeline. She continued "I still know how to make it and if you come out to see me here in Washington, I will make it for you!" Unfortunately, Evangeline passed away this month and the delightful lady I came to know, and love is gone forever, to include her wonderful stories and cooking talents.

Wild Rides Through the Backroads of Virginia and Washington D.C. 

A rather amusing tale was related to me by the Brown's son, Aubrey. Because his father was the chauffeur for the mansion, he would drive the Fryes and their guests into town for entertainment, movies, parties, etc. However, this was all done with several automobiles because of the number of guests. Aubrey Jr. said, "the women would not ride with Jack." I asked, "why?" "Because" he said, "Jack Frye didn't so much drive- as fly low!" "What in the world do you mean" I said? He continued, "you know, he was used to flying planes. If the women rode with Jack, they peed their pants from fear!" The solution? The men rode with Jack, and the women rode in comfort with the chauffeur in the mansion's limousine!

Evangeline Brown Remained Close 

What became of Frye’s Evangeline Brown? She remained close to Jack and Helen and continued to fly out to Sedona to visit, with her son, who became the Frye's godchild. After the Virginia mansion was closed, Howard Hughes approached the Browns and asked (begged) them to come work for him, as Hughes said, "at double the salary!" Howard always considered Evangeline, "his personal chef" and loved her cooking, even though Evangeline said, "I actually worked for Jack and Helen Frye, not Howard Hughes". In the end, Aubrey and Evangeline decided they liked Washington, too much, to leave. And Howard? He was just too much of an enigma to work for. Evangeline continued to cook for the Who's Who of Washington; the Johnsons, Kennedys, Stackelbergs, and numerous diplomats. Known as a professional chef, she and her staff would prepare the most lavish dinners, from basic southern fare, to elaborate formal state dinners, but never again would she serve Texas Chili! Working for the Fryes, and her association with Hughes, remained the highlight of her exciting life!

Recollections of the White House- by Helen Frye 

Helen Frye was invited to the White House on several occasions. Jack Frye knew F.D.R. well, and was also an intimate friend of President Harry S. Truman. Of interest were her comments that prove out this association- to paraphrase: “The first time I met F.D.R., I was shocked to see that he was in a wheelchair. I was not previously privy to the fact that he had been afflicted by polio”. Many citizens were not aware that Franklin Delano Roosevelt had limited use of his legs. The handicap was kept from the nation at large, and at the time, television was in its infancy. Jack Frye, and Helen, both, attended a ceremony at the White House in 1946, when Jack was presented with the Medal for Merit as directed by President Truman. Again, on October 1, 1947, Jack was at the White House (Rose Garden) with Truman who presented another Medal for Merit to Col. Louis Johnson, United States Secretary of War, Commander of the American Legion, and executive with G.A.F. (Frye was C.E.O. of General Aniline and Film). Helen Frye was also remembered to have said that one time when she was invited to a dinner at the White House that the president fed his dog from the dinner table! She was touched the president had that kind of love for animals. This, Helen said, endeared him to her from that point on! Of course, we know Helen Frye was a avid animal lover and advocate, later even, a founder of the Sedona Humane Society. It was not clear "which" president she was referring to with this comment, but with a little investigation the trail seems to lead straight to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who himself was a great lover of animals. The dog in question was likely Roosevelt's Scottie dog, "Fala". Truman was not known to have had pets in the White House but both men had ties with Jack Frye. Jack and Harry would get together as time allowed, flying off in Jack’s Lockheeds on hunting and fishing trips. As well, Jack and Helen entertained Truman informally at their mansion in Arlington Virginia. At the Frye Mansion, Truman could get together with his peers to relax and play poker in seclusion. Jack Frye was a pivotal and powerful man in the Democratic Party. If you wanted something done you could count on Jack Frye to do it fast!

Current State of the Frye Mansion at 2301 North Uhle Street

Currently, 2145 North 24th Street, Arlington, Virginia

The mansion today plays a role vaguely similar to the role it played regally during World War II with TWA. The emphasis is on "vaguely", however. It appears the property was purchased by the current owners in about 1978. Today, it is no longer a private V.I.P. Residence, but rather more akin to a high-level presidential retreat. The most elite members of our government and corporate world still meet within the stately walls, but in our current day, the meetings appear to be more clandestine in nature. In front of the marbled fireplaces and within the hushed shadows of the 20-some rooms, the mansion is a cloak and dagger affair, apparently one which shares no secrets. A compound, by no other accurate description, seen by some as a mini-Camp avid of sorts for the current religious, corporate and government leaders of our world. This all enhanced at times with machine gun toting sentry guards, and it is said endless lines of bulletproof limousines stealthily negotiating the long-winding drive of the estate. In spite of the extreme privacy and shadow, the mansion has been meticulously restored and it appears it is beloved by all who frequent it.

What Became of the TWA Frye Mansion? 

After the war TWA was over-extended financially. This had everything to do with establishing their Trans-World-Service and little to do with the TWA executive mansion. World-Wide service was a monumental and a costly affair with overseas terminals, maintenance facilities, and a new trans-world fleet. It took TWA many years to recover from this expansion; however, in the end it was well worth the toll it took on the company. This period of the airline's history before Jack Frye resigned is without a doubt what made the company the "Mega International Airline" of the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Around that time Jack resigned from TWA the famous Virginia mansion was closed up. All the furniture (much of it antiques) was auctioned off, with Helen Frye personally purchasing a great deal of it. These furnishings Helen had delivered to her dear friend Baroness Stackelberg. Garnett needed the furniture for a new large residence she had recently moved into at Washington D.C. Helen and Garnett had been friends long before Jack and Helen were married. The Fryes were indebted to the Stackelbergs as it was the Baron with his European connections which greatly excelled TWA's acquisition of their oversea service, namely the Orient. The last Viceroy of India was the Baron's cousin.

History of the Colonial Mansion Above the Potomac

Doubleday Mansion History 

When Helen found the house, it was empty and it is assumed it had not been used as a "home" anytime recently. She had the burden of overseeing the renovation of the tattered mansion to a more grand expression. The Fryes had the entire interior renovated and either reconditioned or built a new swimming pool. The residence had to be capable of welcoming the very highest members of society and Helen made sure that it was well suited for this purpose! Her experience as a "Vanderbilt Wife" enabled her to pull off this coup for TWA in a way that no one else possibly could and she was respected for this by the company for this. From personal friend author Robert Serling, who wrote the famous book: "Howard Hughes' Airline, an informal history of TWA," Bob refers to the property as the "Four Winds". This was supposedly the name Howard applied to the property when he stayed there. However, I have not found any other references for the mansion by this name. The house was said to have views of the Potomac in four directions. Keep in mind this property sits on a crest and the mansion, it is said, has the highest and best vistas views in all directions. Bravo to Helen Vanderbilt Frye for it is she who is documented in finding the property in 1943, not TWA. It bodes well for her history of establishing similar residences in Sedona Arizona. By the way, Jack Frye and I both knew Robert Serling personally.

TWA Secures Coveted World Routes- Washington Mansion No Longer Needed

Closure- Fryes and the Doubleday Mansion 

The Frye time frame at the Doubleday Mansion was experienced during a monumental era in the history of our great country. Although the Fryes resided at the mansion for such a short time they are well-remembered icons of the property, even now some 70 years later. When the war was over, everyone's lives had changed amid much loss in our world, yet great things were still accomplished. The Virginia mansion was no longer needed by TWA, and the Fryes moved on to other endeavors, milestones, and accomplishments around the country. Did Helen Frye miss the mansion life? In the mind of this author, it is highly unlikely that Helen’s life was a social whirlwind of entertaining and travel. From the time she met and was married to New York scion Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (from 1932 to 1940) to her later marriage and association with Jack Frye (1938-1950) she became weary of her fast-paced social whirl and the responsibilities it placed on her as a hostess and wife. She and Jack both longed for the quiet solitude of their Sedona Ranch, a place where they could escape the crowds and reporters and relax in peace. It is doubtful that either one of them “missed” the mansion, as it really was a just a finely decorated reception hall for TWA business, not so much a comforting private “home”. They lived there because TWA dictated it, neither one of them ever aspired to one day own a colonial estate and mansion (with endless upkeep) in the suburbs of Washington D.C. The Frye’s had a lot of irons in the fire by war’s end and other more intimate homes. They owned a small home in Georgetown (likely used for privacy), a large Tudor-home on 5-acres in Overland Park, Kansas, a suite in New York City, three ranches in Arizona- one in Sedona where they were building a 11,610 square foot home adjoining several other Frye ranch houses, and two other ranches, east and west of Flagstaff, Arizona, (50,000 acres in all). They also owned property in Texas. The mansion in D.C. gave Frye and TWA the tool it needed to wine and dine the political and commercial powers of the world with one goal in mind- to secure overseas routes after the war, which would (and did) enable TWA to encompass the world. The host and hostess of this miraculous feat were Jack and Helen Frye, the reception hall was the Doubleday Mansion and never again would TWA experience such a world of "Camelot"!

The TWA Executive Residence- a Crucial Key - Result? TWA Becomes a Trans World Airline 

As discussed on this page, TWA needed a location in Washington to wine and dine the powers that be, in order to secure world air route domination. The mansion was part of a strategic business plan, it was not just a grand home for their president. Pan American Airways also had an executive mansion used for the same purpose. Pam Am was TWA’s main contender in a competition as to which airline would become the world’s new U.S. "trans-world" carrier. Was the estate purchased or leased by TWA? This has never been positively verified. Some people infer it was always leased, but the facts are confusing. First, the swimming pool TWA financed, likely would not have been approved for a house that was leased. Also, it has recently come to my attention that around the time Jack resigned from TWA, in February of 1947, TWA decided to "sell" the "executive residence". This indicates to me that TWA possibly, by that time owned the property outright. In the beginning (1944) the Fryes arranged a unique and ingenious deal with the then owners of the Hockley estate. They (Fryes and TWA) would execute major renovations in exchange for a obscenely low lease fee. For several years this was the deal. But in the end when the estate was for sale, did TWA decide that in lieu of their investments, that they would come out ahead to purchase the estate and resell it? A mystery. January 25, 1947- TWA Executive Committee Meeting. The official notes below discuss the mansion.

Sale of Executive Residence Washington D.C. 

Mr. Bradley then stated that in his opinion, the financial condition of the company did not justify the maintenance of the executive residence in Washington, D.C. The matter was discussed in detail and the opinion was expressed by all members that this property should be disposed of when, and if, a reasonable deal could be worked out. It was agreed that the property should be appraised, and other proper steps be taken, looking to the ultimate disposal of the property. Please note: Jack Frye, president of TWA, was in attendance as a member of this committee and totally agreed with the action.

TWA Board of Director Meeting - Hockley Estate Washington D.C. 

(February 25th, 1947) The matter of disposing of the Hockley Estate, D.C. was discussed, but no decision was reached pending a report to be made by the real estate appraisers. For 100 years the mansion was identified as the Doubleday Mansion. In 1898 the mansion was resided in by Col. Charles and Sarah Doubleday. By this time the mansion was well over 100 years old. Yes, it appears Charles and Sarah were connected to the Doubleday dynasty, but it is not sure just how. Throughout the years many names and associations have been attached to the property, Helen and Jack Frye renamed it "Hillcrest Farm". The TWA Board of Directors called it the "Hockley Estate" and at times the "TWA Executive Residence". Another name that is known to apply to the property was "The Admiral Wilkinson School for Boys" which was it is assumed its nature prior or after the time TWA acquired the property. Helen Frye personally saw to the renovation of the mansion, which in turn TWA paid for. There was controversy within TWA as to the expenditures it doled out on the property. However, Jack and Helen Frye can be commended at this point in time for the divine insight to establish the residence in the first place. The funds were entirely justified, as the property was the pivotal vehicle that enabled TWA, through entertaining and lobbying in a strategic location, to secure the overseas routes that established its status as the very first trans-world airline and guaranteed the company's future success. The Fryes also paid for many expenses personally.

The Mansion after TWA Relinquishes Occupancy

TWA Mansion in Arlington Virginia as captured by the press after the Frye's vacated the property (1947). One can see the entrance lacks the former grandeur of the Frye expression with odd furniture placed haphazard. When the house was closed just previous to these images all the furniture was auctioned off, much of which Helen purchased and had shipped to the Sedona Ranch, other furnishings were given to Helen and Jack's friend's Baron (Steno) Constantine, and Baroness von Stackelberg