The 1600 Sessions: Recent Episodes
The White House Historical Association
The White House Historical Association presents The 1600 Sessions, a podcast that explores the history, untold stories and personal accounts of America’s most iconic residence and office – The White House.
What does it really take to make a presidential event look effortless? In this fascinating episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin sits down with Jean Becker and Tom Collamore, authors of Don't Tell the President, to reveal the hidden world of White House advance teams - the people responsible for sweating the details of every presidential appearance, foreign trip, summit, speech, and state visit. From Ronald Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech and Bill Clinton's teleprompter mishap, to George H. W. Bush's meetings with Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II, the conversation explores the extraordinary pressure, split-second decision-making, and behind-the-scenes stories that rarely make the history books. It also reflects on darker moments, including September 11, and the immense responsibility carried by those working behind the scenes. Along the way, you'll hear remarkable stories about presidential campaigns, Secret Service coordination, international diplomacy, and the dedicated people who quietly ensure that every presidential event runs smoothly, even when everything appears to be falling apart.
The Resolute Desk is arguably the most famous desk in the world. It is certainly the most iconic of the six desks that have been used by sitting presidents in the Oval Office. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, traveled to England in order to learn more about the history of the desk which was gifted in 1880 to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom as a sign of goodwill between the two nations. Though it was used throughout the White House since President Hayes, the desk was first used in the Oval Office by President John F. Kennedy. It has also been used by Presidents Carter, Reagan, and every president since George W. Bush.
The episode begins at The Historic Dockyard Chatham where the British ship HMS Resolute was docked before it was decommissioned, broken apart, and its timbers turned into various items - including a desk for the U.S. President. Almost 30 years earlier, the HMS Resolute had been part of an Arctic rescue expedition in search of a British explorer who went missing on the hunt for the Northwest Passage to Asia. The rescue expedition got stuck in the ice, and after a few seasons, the crew abandoned the ships. It was an American vessel that eventually found the Resolute which had broken free of the ice. The U.S. Congress appropriated the funds to refit the ship and return it to England's Queen Victoria.
Stewart and Paul Barnard, Deputy Chief Executive at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, tour the dockyard and climb aboard a Victorian naval sloop called the HMS Gannet, a similar ship that was introduced into service around the time the Resolute was decommissioned. As we'll learn, the Gannet also has its own tie-in to White House history. Then they visit the space that was once the shop where the Resolute Desk was built. Stewart and Paul are joined by Paul Wright, Interpretation Officer at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, who talks about the skills and craftsmanship of the people who once worked in the yard.
Then Stewart heads to the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London and meets with Senior Curator, Dr. Claire Warrior, for a special look at several items not on public display, including an actual piece of wood from the HMS Resolute, as well as proposed designs for the famous desk. During his State Visit in April 2026, King Charles III gifted President Donald Trump a framed, high-quality reproduction of these same plans.
Join us for this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the most recognizable desk in the world.
The Resolute Desk is arguably the most famous desk in the world. It is certainly the most iconic of the six desks that have been used by sitting presidents in the Oval Office. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, traveled to England in order to learn more about the history of the desk which was gifted in 1880 to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom as a sign of goodwill between the two nations. Though it was used throughout the White House since President Hayes, the desk was first used in the Oval Office by President John F. Kennedy. It has also been used by Presidents Carter, Reagan, and every president since George W. Bush.
The episode begins at The Historic Dockyard Chatham where the British ship HMS Resolute was docked before it was decommissioned, broken apart, and its timbers turned into various items - including a desk for the U.S. President. Almost 30 years earlier, the HMS Resolute had been part of an Arctic rescue expedition in search of a British explorer who went missing on the hunt for the Northwest Passage to Asia. The rescue expedition got stuck in the ice, and after a few seasons, the crew abandoned the ships. It was an American vessel that eventually found the Resolute which had broken free of the ice. The U.S. Congress appropriated the funds to refit the ship and return it to England's Queen Victoria.
Stewart and Paul Barnard, Deputy Chief Executive at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, tour the dockyard and climb aboard a Victorian naval sloop called the HMS Gannet, a similar ship that was introduced into service around the time the Resolute was decommissioned. As we'll learn, the Gannet also has its own tie-in to White House history. Then they visit the space that was once the shop where the Resolute Desk was built. Stewart and Paul are joined by Paul Wright, Interpretation Officer at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, who talks about the skills and craftsmanship of the people who once worked in the yard.
Then Stewart heads to the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London and meets with Senior Curator, Dr. Claire Warrior, for a special look at several items not on public display, including an actual piece of wood from the HMS Resolute, as well as proposed designs for the famous desk. During his State Visit in April 2026, King Charles III gifted President Donald Trump a framed, high-quality reproduction of these same plans.
Join us for this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the most recognizable desk in the world.
In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the Association's 2026 Faith, Freedom, and Democracy Symposium, held in partnership with Westminster Abbey Institute.
Through commentary and highlights from the day's conversations, Stewart explores how faith shaped the early American republic, the founding of Washington, D.C., and the presidency itself. The Symposium brought together scholars, clergy, historians, and diplomats to examine the relationship between faith and public life, religious liberty in Revolutionary America, and the enduring connections between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Drawing from panel discussions, reflections, and musical performances, this episode offers a deeper look at the ideas, history, and transatlantic partnerships explored throughout the Symposium.
In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the Association's 2026 Faith, Freedom, and Democracy Symposium, held in partnership with Westminster Abbey Institute.
Through commentary and highlights from the day's conversations, Stewart explores how faith shaped the early American republic, the founding of Washington, D.C., and the presidency itself. The Symposium brought together scholars, clergy, historians, and diplomats to examine the relationship between faith and public life, religious liberty in Revolutionary America, and the enduring connections between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Drawing from panel discussions, reflections, and musical performances, this episode offers a deeper look at the ideas, history, and transatlantic partnerships explored throughout the Symposium.
While presidential portraits are the most notable pieces in the White House Collection of fine and decorative arts, there are more than 65,000 works in the museum-accredited collection. This grew over time with items such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, and furniture, having either been commissioned, donated, or acquired for use at the White House. The role of the White House Curator was established during the Kennedy presidency and the White House Historical Association has worked closely with them for decades to preserve and create a collection of mostly American-made art with historical and cultural significance.
The Royal Collection Trust is charged with a similar mission, overseeing more than a million objects including paintings, jewelry, textiles, and more, that have been collected by British Royalty for hundreds of years. Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, traveled to Windsor Castle to speak with Tim Knox, director of the Royal Collection. Located about 25 miles outside of London, England, Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs since it was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Only five sitting U.S. presidents have been welcomed to Windsor Castle.
To mark America's semiquincentennial, Stewart and Tim sat in the White Drawing Room to discuss several American-born artists favored by King George III in the late 18th century around the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. These include the painters Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, and John Taylor, who were all born in the colonies and later moved to England to pursue their careers. Watch to learn more about the works of these artists including rare landscapes, and famous portraits of King George, Queen Charlotte, and their children. Stewart and Tim also walked to St. George's Hall, the site of several state banquets at Windsor Castle for U.S. presidents, to get a closer look at a portrait by Gainsborough Dupont, a British-born artist with works in both the Royal Collection and the White House Collection.
While presidential portraits are the most notable pieces in the White House Collection of fine and decorative arts, there are more than 65,000 works in the museum-accredited collection. This grew over time with items such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, and furniture, having either been commissioned, donated, or acquired for use at the White House. The role of the White House Curator was established during the Kennedy presidency and the White House Historical Association has worked closely with them for decades to preserve and create a collection of mostly American-made art with historical and cultural significance.
The Royal Collection Trust is charged with a similar mission, overseeing more than a million objects including paintings, jewelry, textiles, and more, that have been collected by British Royalty for hundreds of years. Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, traveled to Windsor Castle to speak with Tim Knox, director of the Royal Collection. Located about 25 miles outside of London, England, Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs since it was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Only five sitting U.S. presidents have been welcomed to Windsor Castle.
To mark America's semiquincentennial, Stewart and Tim sat in the White Drawing Room to discuss several American-born artists favored by King George III in the late 18th century around the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. These include the painters Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, and John Taylor, who were all born in the colonies and later moved to England to pursue their careers. Watch to learn more about the works of these artists including rare landscapes, and famous portraits of King George, Queen Charlotte, and their children. Stewart and Tim also walked to St. George's Hall, the site of several state banquets at Windsor Castle for U.S. presidents, to get a closer look at a portrait by Gainsborough Dupont, a British-born artist with works in both the Royal Collection and the White House Collection.
With just 100 days until July 4, 2026, the United States is approaching a historic milestone: the American Semiquincentennial. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the significance of the nation's 250th anniversary and the work of the White House Historical Association to preserve, protect, and share the history of the People's House. Stewart traces the origins of the Executive Mansion, beginning in 1792 when President George Washington selected Irish-born architect James Hoban to design what was then called the President's House. Over the centuries, presidents have shaped both the building and the legacy of the White House, leaving their mark on a place that has stood at the center of American history for more than two hundred years. As the countdown to the Semiquincentennial continues, the episode also highlights how the Association is expanding access to White House history—from immersive experiences at The People's House: A White House Experience to new exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives that connect Americans with the enduring story of the White House.
With just 100 days until July 4, 2026, the United States is approaching a historic milestone: the American Semiquincentennial. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the significance of the nation's 250th anniversary and the work of the White House Historical Association to preserve, protect, and share the history of the People's House. Stewart traces the origins of the Executive Mansion, beginning in 1792 when President George Washington selected Irish-born architect James Hoban to design what was then called the President's House. Over the centuries, presidents have shaped both the building and the legacy of the White House, leaving their mark on a place that has stood at the center of American history for more than two hundred years. As the countdown to the Semiquincentennial continues, the episode also highlights how the Association is expanding access to White House history—from immersive experiences at The People's House: A White House Experience to new exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives that connect Americans with the enduring story of the White House.
U.S. Presidents are transported in some of the safest, most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin visited the United States Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland to get a very special look at "The Beast," the affectionate nickname given by the press when the first generation of General Motors' custom-built Cadillac presidential limousines debuted in 2001. The presidential limousine has come a long way since 1909 when Congress appropriated funds for President William Howard Taft to purchase the first two White House motor cars. Stewart sits down with John Bush, the Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division for the United States Secret Service, who recently retired after 24 years of service. John was part of the transportation detail that drove President Obama, and was in the front seat of the limo carrying Presidents Biden and Trump on Inauguration Day 2025. The interview was recorded in the Robert Diehl Historic Garage in front of several generations of presidential vehicles including limousines used by Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as other escort vehicles used in presidential motorcades. Stewart takes a tour with John and Robert Diehl, himself, who served for more than 50 years before retiring from the U.S. Secret Service. Learn about the time President Reagan was rushed off the course at Augusta National Golf Club, and take a look inside "The Beast" when Stewart gets the chance to take a seat in a retired presidential limo.
U.S. Presidents are transported in some of the safest, most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin visited the United States Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland to get a very special look at "The Beast," the affectionate nickname given by the press when the first generation of General Motors' custom-built Cadillac presidential limousines debuted in 2001. The presidential limousine has come a long way since 1909 when Congress appropriated funds for President William Howard Taft to purchase the first two White House motor cars. Stewart sits down with John Bush, the Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division for the United States Secret Service, who recently retired after 24 years of service. John was part of the transportation detail that drove President Obama, and was in the front seat of the limo carrying Presidents Biden and Trump on Inauguration Day 2025. The interview was recorded in the Robert Diehl Historic Garage in front of several generations of presidential vehicles including limousines used by Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as other escort vehicles used in presidential motorcades. Stewart takes a tour with John and Robert Diehl, himself, who served for more than 50 years before retiring from the U.S. Secret Service. Learn about the time President Reagan was rushed off the course at Augusta National Golf Club, and take a look inside "The Beast" when Stewart gets the chance to take a seat in a retired presidential limo.
For over forty years, the White House Historical Association has partnered with Beacon Design, a division of the ChemArt Company, to create the Official White House Christmas Ornament. The program was started in 1981 during the first term of the Reagan presidency when First Lady Nancy Reagan threw her support behind the idea. A new design has debuted annually with each ornament honoring a president's time in the White House, an anniversary, or historical event. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association visited ChemArt to get a first-hand look at how the ornaments are meticulously designed and hand-assembled. The veteran and family-founded company based in Lincoln, Rhode Island makes each ornament with precision and care. Stewart toured the facility with Hamilton Davison, CEO of Beacon Design, and Dave Marquis, former president of ChemArt, to get a behind-the-scenes look at how these treasured family heirlooms are created. They also discussed the recently unveiled Official Commemorative Ornament of America's 250th Anniversary, which serves as the Official 2026 White House Christmas Ornament. It features the Declaration of Independence framed in 24-karat gold and is officially licensed with America250, a nonpartisan movement dedicated to inspiring civic participation and education in the nation.
The Official Commemorative Ornament of America's 250th Anniversary is available for sale at shop.whitehousehistory.org. All proceeds from the sale of these Ornaments go directly to funding the Association's nonprofit, nonpartisan educational mission to share White House history.
For over forty years, the White House Historical Association has partnered with Beacon Design, a division of the ChemArt Company, to create the Official White House Christmas Ornament. The program was started in 1981 during the first term of the Reagan presidency when First Lady Nancy Reagan threw her support behind the idea. A new design has debuted annually with each ornament honoring a president's time in the White House, an anniversary, or historical event. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association visited ChemArt to get a first-hand look at how the ornaments are meticulously designed and hand-assembled. The veteran and family-founded company based in Lincoln, Rhode Island makes each ornament with precision and care. Stewart toured the facility with Hamilton Davison, CEO of Beacon Design, and Dave Marquis, former president of ChemArt, to get a behind-the-scenes look at how these treasured family heirlooms are created. They also discussed the recently unveiled Official Commemorative Ornament of America's 250th Anniversary, which serves as the Official 2026 White House Christmas Ornament. It features the Declaration of Independence framed in 24-karat gold and is officially licensed with America250, a nonpartisan movement dedicated to inspiring civic participation and education in the nation.
The Official Commemorative Ornament of America's 250th Anniversary is available for sale at shop.whitehousehistory.org. All proceeds from the sale of these Ornaments go directly to funding the Association's nonprofit, nonpartisan educational mission to share White House history.
There are few places outside of the White House that are as deeply connected to the American Presidency as the Waldorf Astoria New York. For almost a century, this luxury hotel has welcomed every U.S. President since Herbert Hoover through its elegant Art Deco doors on Park Avenue. After leaving office, President Hoover even lived in the Waldorf Astoria Residence for more than three decades before his passing at the age of 90. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin was joined in the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria Residences New York by guests David Freeland, author of American Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria and the Making of a Century and Jasmin Howanietz, the Executive Director of Sales at the Waldorf Astoria. The hotel and residence underwent an almost eight year renovation, reopening in 2025. The White House Historical Association is thrilled to be a partner in the creation of the Presidential Library and Bar at the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, a private amenity for the residents that features a curated collection of books and artifacts that bring presidential history to life. Take a peek inside and learn about the rich history of diplomacy that has taken place inside the rooms of the Waldorf Astoria during sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, see a few of the items gifted by U.S. presidents after their stay in the Presidential Suite - including a rocking chair from President John F. Kennedy - and find out why President Richard Nixon loved the Waldorf Astoria so much that he booked the ballroom for his 1968 Election Night party.
There are few places outside of the White House that are as deeply connected to the American Presidency as the Waldorf Astoria New York. For almost a century, this luxury hotel has welcomed every U.S. President since Herbert Hoover through its elegant Art Deco doors on Park Avenue. After leaving office, President Hoover even lived in the Waldorf Astoria Residence for more than three decades before his passing at the age of 90. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin was joined in the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria Residences New York by guests David Freeland, author of American Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria and the Making of a Century and Jasmin Howanietz, the Executive Director of Sales at the Waldorf Astoria. The hotel and residence underwent an almost eight year renovation, reopening in 2025. The White House Historical Association is thrilled to be a partner in the creation of the Presidential Library and Bar at the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, a private amenity for the residents that features a curated collection of books and artifacts that bring presidential history to life. Take a peek inside and learn about the rich history of diplomacy that has taken place inside the rooms of the Waldorf Astoria during sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, see a few of the items gifted by U.S. presidents after their stay in the Presidential Suite - including a rocking chair from President John F. Kennedy - and find out why President Richard Nixon loved the Waldorf Astoria so much that he booked the ballroom for his 1968 Election Night party.
Gary J. Walters was an integral part of White House history during a 37 year career in which he served seven presidents and their families. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House HIstorical Association, sat down with Gary to recount some of the moments he witnessed which are also captured in the new book White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher. Gary started his tenure at the White House during the Nixon presidency as an Executive Protective Service officer. In 1976 he became an assistant usher under President Gerald Ford. When Gary was named Chief Usher in 1986 he took on a job that transcended politics. The Chief Usher oversees the day to day operations of the Executive Mansion and grounds, managing the Residence staff and a space that is uniquely many things: a living museum, a ceremonial and working space, as well as a home. In this episode, Gary recounts the joys and challenges of elegant State Dinners and decorating for the holidays, and reflects on solemn moments such as the assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan and the events of September 11th, 2001. Foremost in his mind was making sure the presidents and first families were comfortable and afforded privacy during what were often stressful times. When he retired in 2007 after 21 years as Chief Usher, Gary received the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service from President George W. Bush. Remarkably, Gary continues to serve by directing the proceeds from his book to the mission of the White House Historical Association: to share the history of the White House, the People's House.
White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher by Gary J. Walters, published by the White House Historical Association, will be released at the Association's Annual Holiday Book Festival on December 5, 2025. You can order a copy at shop.whitehousehistory.org.
Gary J. Walters was an integral part of White House history during a 37 year career in which he served seven presidents and their families. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House HIstorical Association, sat down with Gary to recount some of the moments he witnessed which are also captured in the new book White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher. Gary started his tenure at the White House during the Nixon presidency as an Executive Protective Service officer. In 1976 he became an assistant usher under President Gerald Ford. When Gary was named Chief Usher in 1986 he took on a job that transcended politics. The Chief Usher oversees the day to day operations of the Executive Mansion and grounds, managing the Residence staff and a space that is uniquely many things: a living museum, a ceremonial and working space, as well as a home. In this episode, Gary recounts the joys and challenges of elegant State Dinners and decorating for the holidays, and reflects on solemn moments such as the assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan and the events of September 11th, 2001. Foremost in his mind was making sure the presidents and first families were comfortable and afforded privacy during what were often stressful times. When he retired in 2007 after 21 years as Chief Usher, Gary received the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service from President George W. Bush. Remarkably, Gary continues to serve by directing the proceeds from his book to the mission of the White House Historical Association: to share the history of the White House, the People's House.
White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher by Gary J. Walters, published by the White House Historical Association, will be released at the Association's Annual Holiday Book Festival on December 5, 2025. You can order a copy at shop.whitehousehistory.org.
U.S. Presidents and the White House have been depicted on film, television, and now on streaming platforms, for over a century. The White House facade and reproductions of the Oval Office are instantly recognizable and often help in the telling of a story. Sometimes, the White House even becomes a main character like in The Residence, a Netflix and Shondaland series released in 2025. The comedic murder mystery set in the White House during a fictional presidency features a unique look at the Executive Mansion and at the hardworking residence staff who operate behind the scenes. But when you see the actors walking through the rooms of the White House, those are sets or visual effects. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin sits down with production designer François Audouy at the Netflix - Epic Studios in Los Angeles, California to talk about what it takes to bring the White House to life on the screen. François is a master of creating incredible worlds and landscapes for film and television, and earned an Emmy nomination for his work on The Residence. See and hear about the incredible research and attention to detail it took to build the largest recreation ever of the White House for film or television.
U.S. Presidents and the White House have been depicted on film, television, and now on streaming platforms, for over a century. The White House facade and reproductions of the Oval Office are instantly recognizable and often help in the telling of a story. Sometimes, the White House even becomes a main character like in The Residence, a Netflix and Shondaland series released in 2025. The comedic murder mystery set in the White House during a fictional presidency features a unique look at the Executive Mansion and at the hardworking residence staff who operate behind the scenes. But when you see the actors walking through the rooms of the White House, those are sets or visual effects. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin sits down with production designer François Audouy at the Netflix - Epic Studios in Los Angeles, California to talk about what it takes to bring the White House to life on the screen. François is a master of creating incredible worlds and landscapes for film and television, and earned an Emmy nomination for his work on The Residence. See and hear about the incredible research and attention to detail it took to build the largest recreation ever of the White House for film or television.
The White House has been home to a menagerie of pets, from working animals such as horses and sheep, to companions of the Scottish Terrier and Siamese cat varieties - with the odd raccoon, cow, or badger thrown in, as well. Like the almost 90 million American households who have a pet, many First Families have brought animals home even when the address was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin meets Alan Price, director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and takes a tour of their new exhibit, Presidential Pets. Museum curators have gathered rarely seen items from their own collection, including dog biscuits kept in President Kennedy’s desk to feed the pups who visited him in the Oval Office. Other Presidential Libraries and Museums have loaned dozens of items to help tell the story of the creatures who have inhabited the White House. In this episode you’ll see a Navy coat made for Fala, the beloved Scottie of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; a doghouse in the shape of the White House made for Rex, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cherished by the Reagans; a saddle and riding crop used by President Theodore Roosevelt; and a rare look at a passport made for Pushinka, the dog gifted by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the Kennedy family.
The exhibit runs through April 26, 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.A copy of the White House History Quarterly “Animals at Work in White House History” edition can be purchased at this link.
The White House has been home to a menagerie of pets, from working animals such as horses and sheep, to companions of the Scottish Terrier and Siamese cat varieties - with the odd raccoon, cow, or badger thrown in, as well. Like the almost 90 million American households who have a pet, many First Families have brought animals home even when the address was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin meets Alan Price, director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and takes a tour of their new exhibit, Presidential Pets. Museum curators have gathered rarely seen items from their own collection, including dog biscuits kept in President Kennedy’s desk to feed the pups who visited him in the Oval Office. Other Presidential Libraries and Museums have loaned dozens of items to help tell the story of the creatures who have inhabited the White House. In this episode you’ll see a Navy coat made for Fala, the beloved Scottie of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; a doghouse in the shape of the White House made for Rex, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cherished by the Reagans; a saddle and riding crop used by President Theodore Roosevelt; and a rare look at a passport made for Pushinka, the dog gifted by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the Kennedy family.
The exhibit runs through April 26, 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.A copy of the White House History Quarterly “Animals at Work in White House History” edition can be purchased at this link.
While people around the world mourned President John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, there was a remarkable group of young men who had to perform an unimaginable mission: burying their Commander in Chief. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin speaks with James L. Felder, who was a U.S. Army Sergeant when he led the Honor Guard Ceremonial Unit that buried President Kennedy. Felder helped carry and protect the casket of President Kennedy from the moment his body returned from Texas, until the moment he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963. It was a solemn burial ceremony, and what took place at the very end could have been lost to history: the members of the Honor Guard, in a powerful, spontaneous gesture of respect, removed their hats and laid them around the wreath that adorned the president's grave. That gesture meant so much to the Kennedy family that they commissioned a sculpture of the wreath and hats with the idea that it would eventually adorn President Kennedy’s permanent gravesite. Generations later, it's easy to forget that where President Kennedy rests today in Arlington National Cemetery is actually about 20 feet from his initial burial location of November 1963. The site was moved in 1967 to accommodate the millions of visitors. Stewart speaks with Elinor Crane of Oak Spring Garden Foundation as well as Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, about the creation of the memorial wreath that was made but never installed. You won’t want to miss hearing the firsthand account from James Felder, to learn about the powerful moment of the Honor Guard removing their hats, and get a special look at pieces from the sculpture.
While people around the world mourned President John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, there was a remarkable group of young men who had to perform an unimaginable mission: burying their Commander in Chief. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin speaks with James L. Felder, who was a U.S. Army Sergeant when he led the Honor Guard Ceremonial Unit that buried President Kennedy. Felder helped carry and protect the casket of President Kennedy from the moment his body returned from Texas, until the moment he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963. It was a solemn burial ceremony, and what took place at the very end could have been lost to history: the members of the Honor Guard, in a powerful, spontaneous gesture of respect, removed their hats and laid them around the wreath that adorned the president's grave. That gesture meant so much to the Kennedy family that they commissioned a sculpture of the wreath and hats with the idea that it would eventually adorn President Kennedy’s permanent gravesite. Generations later, it's easy to forget that where President Kennedy rests today in Arlington National Cemetery is actually about 20 feet from his initial burial location of November 1963. The site was moved in 1967 to accommodate the millions of visitors. Stewart speaks with Elinor Crane of Oak Spring Garden Foundation as well as Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, about the creation of the memorial wreath that was made but never installed. You won’t want to miss hearing the firsthand account from James Felder, to learn about the powerful moment of the Honor Guard removing their hats, and get a special look at pieces from the sculpture.
There are many fun, wonderful opportunities to learn about White House history all across the country. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, takes a road trip to the outskirts of Williamsburg, Virginia, to see what has become a social media hotspot: the Presidents Heads. Situated within a recycling facility on private property is a collection of 42 massive, decaying statues featuring the likenesses of U.S. presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush. Each statue is made of concrete and steel, averaging 15 feet in height, and weighing approximately 1.5 tons. They were rescued from a bankrupt outdoor museum called Presidents Park. When the park closed over a decade ago, the land was sold and the statues were set to be destroyed. Local businessman Howard Hankins was hired to do the job but he just couldn’t bring himself to destroy the statues, so he transported them about 11 miles down the road to his property. Howard has allowed history buffs and photographers John Plashal and Fred Schneider to host organized tours several times a year where people can buy tickets to visit the statues (which cannot be seen from the road, so showing up unannounced is discouraged and considered trespassing). Stewart met John and Fred on one of their tours, and also encountered a few excited visitors. Come along for a ride and learn more about this remarkable piece of Americana.
There are many fun, wonderful opportunities to learn about White House history all across the country. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, takes a road trip to the outskirts of Williamsburg, Virginia, to see what has become a social media hotspot: the Presidents Heads. Situated within a recycling facility on private property is a collection of 42 massive, decaying statues featuring the likenesses of U.S. presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush. Each statue is made of concrete and steel, averaging 15 feet in height, and weighing approximately 1.5 tons. They were rescued from a bankrupt outdoor museum called Presidents Park. When the park closed over a decade ago, the land was sold and the statues were set to be destroyed. Local businessman Howard Hankins was hired to do the job but he just couldn’t bring himself to destroy the statues, so he transported them about 11 miles down the road to his property. Howard has allowed history buffs and photographers John Plashal and Fred Schneider to host organized tours several times a year where people can buy tickets to visit the statues (which cannot be seen from the road, so showing up unannounced is discouraged and considered trespassing). Stewart met John and Fred on one of their tours, and also encountered a few excited visitors. Come along for a ride and learn more about this remarkable piece of Americana.
First Lady Barbara Bush is being honored by the United States Postal Service with a Forever Stamp in what would be the centennial year of her birth. Born in New York on June 8th, 1925, Barbara Pierce would go on to marry George Herbert Walker Bush and become an iconic, unelected public servant in her own right. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, talks about the life and legacy of Mrs. Bush with three special guests: Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; Chas Fagan, the artist who painted the Official White House Portrait of Mrs. Bush which is featured on the new Forever Stamp; and Andrew Roberts, President of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush said she wanted to do something every day to help others and was a passionate supporter of the life-changing power of learning how to read. Her lasting legacy of service can be seen through her family, friends, and the Foundation which continues to support literacy efforts to this day in her name.
First Lady Barbara Bush is being honored by the United States Postal Service with a Forever Stamp in what would be the centennial year of her birth. Born in New York on June 8th, 1925, Barbara Pierce would go on to marry George Herbert Walker Bush and become an iconic, unelected public servant in her own right. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, talks about the life and legacy of Mrs. Bush with three special guests: Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; Chas Fagan, the artist who painted the Official White House Portrait of Mrs. Bush which is featured on the new Forever Stamp; and Andrew Roberts, President of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush said she wanted to do something every day to help others and was a passionate supporter of the life-changing power of learning how to read. Her lasting legacy of service can be seen through her family, friends, and the Foundation which continues to support literacy efforts to this day in her name.
Come set sail and join us for a special tour of Honey Fitz, a presidential yacht. For almost a century, from 1880 to 1977, every president had access to a yacht. They were used as tools of diplomacy and hospitality, and quite often, as a means of escape and relaxation. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, traveled to Jupiter, Florida to see one of these yachts which is now privately owned by businessman Charles Modica. Stewart speaks with Charles as well as Captains Gregory Albritton and Katelyn Kiefer, who oversaw the incredible restoration. First built in 1931 and named Lenore, the vessel was requisitioned for use during World War II and used for patrol duty by the U.S. Coast Guard. Then she was used by five presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Richard Nixon, and had a different name under each president. President Eisenhower named her Barbara Anne after his granddaughter, and President Kennedy christened the yacht in honor of his maternal grandfather, John Francis Fitzgerald, whose nickname, of course, was Honey Fitz. After being decommissioned and sold to a private owner in 1971, the yacht passed through several different hands and underwent modifications. Now, Honey Fitz has been lovingly brought back to life to resemble the time it was used by President Kennedy and his family. They were meticulous in replicating details, from cushions designed from sketches by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, to the bell on the bow of the boat. Follow along to learn more about floating White House history.
The White House Historical Association publication Away from the White House: Presidential Escapes, Retreats, and Vacations by Lawrence Knutson presents a lively and interesting slice of the presidency that most of us know little about: How the president relaxes away from the White House. You can purchase a copy here.
On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Lincoln departed the White House and arrived at Ford’s Theatre to see a production of Our American Cousin. After four long, tumultuous years, the end of the Civil War was in sight. President Lincoln was known for his love of attending live theater, and even though he arrived late that evening, the production came to a halt when the orchestra played “Hail to the Chief” and the audience took to its feet and cheered. Sadly, what was to be an evening of celebration and respite turned into one of the most solemn moments in White House history. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, hosts a special episode dedicated to the 160th anniversary of that fateful night when an assassin’s bullet caused a mortal wound that would take President Lincoln’s life the following morning. Stewart is joined by Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford’s Theatre, who guides us through the events of that April evening, including a special look at the vestibule just outside the President’s box where John Wilkes Booth stood moments before he pulled the trigger. Following the tour, Stewart is joined by Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, who shares some unique objects in the museum’s archives from that night. Those items include several not on public display such as the china cup the president last drank from at the White House before leaving for the theater, as well as the bloodied cuff of the young doctor who was at Ford’s Theatre that evening and the first to attend to President Lincoln on the scene. Join us as we honor and remember Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
There's an old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” By that count, artist Peter Waddell is a masterful storyteller. Beginning in 2004, the White House Historical Association commissioned the artist to create well-researched paintings to represent different periods from White House history that were not drawn, painted, or photographed definitively in their own times. The result is a collection of over a dozen pieces of artwork that capture lesser known moments of presidential life at the White House. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with Peter about how these moments were chosen, the meticulous research that went into these paintings, and how Peter is able to create works that transport viewers and students to another time and another place in American history. Stewart and Peter discuss three of his extraordinary paintings that are part of the White House Historical Association’s collection: A Vision Takes Form, 1796 about the construction of the White House; Tiber Creek: The Bathers which depicts a moment when President John Quincy Adams escaped a leaking boat; and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at Malmaison, 1961 which shows Mrs. Kennedy visiting the home of Empress Josephine of France. The Empress’s silk draped bed chamber appears to have inspired the redesign and decoration of the Blue Room at the White House during the Kennedy administration.
You can view Peter Waddell’s paintings for the White House Historical Association here.
The State Funeral has come to be known as the traditional and ceremonial way to mourn a President of the United States. While throughout the nation’s history not every Commander in Chief has opted for such a tribute, in the modern era, it has become common practice. In fact, discussions about a president’s preferences as to how they will be honored after their death take place almost as soon as they take office.
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sat down with two individuals who had a hand in the planning and performance of these national events: Michael Wagner, the former Chief of National Event Planning for Joint Task Force - National Capital Region, and Retired Major General Galen B. Jackman, former Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington.
Maj. Gen. Jackman became a familiar face as he personally escorted former First Lady Nancy Reagan through the events of President Ronald Reagan’s State Funeral. President Reagan's funeral set the standard for what we expect to see today, with ceremonies held at a former president’s place of residence, events in Washington, D.C., and then the final burial…all taking place in a span of 7 to 10 days. We were privileged to see that take place again in January 2025 for former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living president in history.
Those who serve in the JTF-NCR and Military District of Washington help keep the nation’s capital safe, honor each presidency from Inauguration to their final passing, as well as perform other ceremonial duties across the country and around the world. This is a rare opportunity to hear the personal stories of two people who served their nation with the utmost professionalism and patriotism.
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sets the stage for what traditionally takes place on Inauguration Day, and previews the next season of The White House 1600 Sessions.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy founded the White House Historical Association over 60 years ago, famously saying “The White House belongs to the American people.” The Association’s mission has been clear since day one: preserving, protecting, and providing public access to White House History. That mission continues through The People’s House: A White House Experience at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue - a block away from the White House - in Washington, D.C.
In this episode, Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, describes how The People’s House evolved from concept to concrete slabs to cutting-edge technology. He shares what visitors can expect when they arrive: immersive galleries and exhibits where history comes alive with the flick of a hand; a full-scale replica of the Oval Office where you can sit behind the iconic Resolute Desk; become a guest at a State Dinner and listen to a Cabinet meeting, and so much more.
The White House Historical Association is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, and no taxpayer dollars were used to build The People’s House, it was funded completely through generous private donations. So please listen and watch to learn more about The People’s House: A White House Experience, and then reserve your free pass to see it yourself next time you’re in the nation’s capital. Plan your visit today at: http://thepeopleshouse.org
Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions
The White House showcases the very best of American culinary arts, whether it's providing the president some much needed nourishment after a long day or using a meal as a diplomatic tool between two nations. White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford spent almost 30 years working in the White House kitchens before retiring in July 2024. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with Chef Comerford about growing up in the Philippines, falling in love with cooking, and becoming a U.S. citizen who never dreamed one day she would cook at the most famous address in America.
Chef Comerford started as an assistant chef in 1995 during the Clinton presidency, and just 10 years later was named Executive Chef by First Lady Laura Bush. Chef Comerford was the first woman and first person of color named to the top position in the White House kitchen. She cooked for five presidents and their families, dozens of dignitaries, and literally thousands of guests from all around the world - overseeing more than 50 state dinners along the way.
The key to cooking at the White House? Chef Comerford says it’s being able to listen and read the room properly because at the end of the day “...this is not your restaurant. This is not about you, it’s about the president or the family who are living in that White House at the moment.” Hear about what it takes to put on a state dinner, which president has his own chili recipe, and much more about cooking at the White House.
Given how things started almost 250 years ago between the United States and King George III, the history of diplomacy and friendship between the White House and Queen Elizabeth II is quite remarkable. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, talked about this history with David Charter, the assistant editor (US) of The Times and author of Royal Audience: 70 years, 13 presidents--One Queen's Special Relationship with America.
Queen Elizabeth II reigned over the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms for seven decades until her death in 2022 - the longest-serving British monarch of all time. She first visited the United States as a princess when she and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrived in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 1951. She stayed at Blair House with President Harry Truman and his family, as the White House was under major renovation. Several months later she would ascend the throne after the passing of her father, King George VI.
It would be years before her first visit to the United States as Queen, when she and her husband arrived on October 17, 1957 and stayed with President Dwight Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower at the White House. The Queen had a fondness for Eisenhower having met him during World War II. Queen Elizabeth would go on to meet every sitting president through Joe Biden, except for Lyndon Johnson, and you’ll learn why in this episode. You’ll also find out with which president she shared her scone recipe, the president who most shared her love of horses, and the presidential family that reminded her a great deal of her own.
In his latest book “The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency,” David Rubenstein, renowned financier, philanthropist, and host of PBS’s History with David Rubenstein, takes a fresh look at what it means to hold the office of President of the United States. It is a role that has been shaped and defined by only 45 individuals, and one that contains a great deal of history while also sparking a number of myths.
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, talked with Rubenstein at the Association’s new immersive space at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. called “The People’s House: A White House Experience” in front of an audience of the Association’s Next-Gen Leaders. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, as well as a patriotic philanthropist who has helped restore and preserve American treasures like the Washington Monument and the Emancipation Proclamation. He is also a generous supporter of the Association’s mission of research and education, including the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History. Having gotten his start as a domestic policy adviser under President Jimmy Carter, Rubenstein was a firsthand witness to what it takes to be a public servant and work in the Oval Office.
This conversation focuses on the importance of civics, the attributes that make a successful leader, and much more as they delve into Rubenstein’s new book that includes interviews with historians, journalists, and most of the living U.S. presidents.
From podium plaques and flags to the doors of the presidential limo and Air Force One, it is always present: fifty stars encircling an eagle whose talons hold bundles of olive branches and arrows, and around that circle of stars, a band with the words “Seal of the President of the United States.” If you’ve ever wondered where that design came from and how those symbols are made, join Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, on a special tour of The Institute of Heraldry at Fort Belvoir, a U.S. Army installation in Northern Virginia.
The art of heraldry goes back centuries and is usually associated with military groups and nobility. Colors and symbols created a design used as a form of identification. America's Founding Fathers were very cautious about adopting anything closely related to monarchy and the nobility, so there was no standard design based on traditional heraldry representing the Office of the President until the 1940s.
Near the end of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt asked heraldry experts and military personnel to create an official design for the presidential flag, seal, and coat of arms. Unfortunately, President Roosevelt died before the project was completed. Still, President Harry Truman saw it through and, in October 1945, signed an executive order establishing for the very first time a legal definition of the president's coat of arms and seal as used by the president.
In 1948, President Truman did the same with designs for the Office of the Vice President. Those designs, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, decorations, badges, flags, and other insignia for the U.S. military services and departments throughout the federal government, are created with the assistance of The Institute of Heraldry. And those plaques you see affixed to the podiums behind which the president and vice president speak? Unbelievably, all of those are crafted and painted by hand at the Institute and nowhere else.
In this episode you will hear from Charles Mugno, Director of The Institute of Heraldry; Thomas Casciaro, Chief of the Technical and Production Division at The Institute of Heraldry; as well as Michael Craghead, Exhibit Specialist at The Institute of Heraldry, who has been painting plaques for the president and vice president for over twenty years. We hope you enjoy this special look behind the scenes of the making of the presidential seal.
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Blair House, known as the president's guest house, is located mere steps from the White House. 2024 marks the bicentennial of the building of Blair House, which for 200 years has been a quiet but integral part of our nation's history. Today, Blair House is actually a complex made up of four townhouses. Originally built in 1824 for Doctor Joseph Lovell, the first Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, the Blair family purchased the property in 1837 when Francis Preston Blair became publisher of the pro-Andrew Jackson newspaper, The Washington Globe.
Blair was an influential member of President Jackson's inner circle and remained an informal adviser and confidante to Presidents Martin Van Buren and Abraham Lincoln, the latter of whom was a frequent visitor. As the city began to change, it would be Blair’s grandson, Gist, who sought President Franklin Roosevelt’s help in preserving the home. In the 1940s, the federal government purchased Blair House and began transforming it into the president’s guest house for visiting dignitaries. It's also become the place where the president-elect usually stays before every presidential inauguration, and a welcoming sanctuary for many of the grieving presidential families during a state funeral. Blair House is a living, working space that is maintained with the utmost care: the staffing and structural needs are supported by the U.S. Department of State, and since 1985, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Blair House Foundation has raised private funds to preserve the rooms, gardens and amenities.
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, speaks about the history of Blair House and its importance to American diplomacy with the Honorable Capricia Marshall, former U.S. Chief of Protocol and vice chair of the Blair House 200th Anniversary Campaign, and Ambassador Stuart Holliday, former U.S. ambassador for special political affairs at the United Nations and trustee of the Blair House Foundation. Stewart also takes a tour of the complex with Matthew Wendel, the assistant chief of protocol and general manager of Blair House. Since Blair House is closed to the public, this is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and see the museum-standard artifacts, diplomatic spaces, and the principal suite where queens, presidents, and other dignitaries have stayed.
An updated edition of the White House Historical Publication Blair House The President's Guest House by William Seale is available at shop.whitehousehistory.org.
President of the United States and Commander in Chief are titles that only 45 unique men over 46 presidencies have carried since the office was established in 1789. It is a role that is continually being shaped and reshaped through each decade, presidency, personality, and each of the character traits that have defined these men. Author, historian, and attorney, Talmage Boston, set out to see what made eight of these presidents a great leader - from George Washington to Ronald Reagan - in his new book “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents.”
White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin sat down with Talmage to talk about the lessons outlined in the book, as well as how those lessons can be applied by people in all walks of life, and of all ages, who want to work on becoming a better leader, and perhaps, even a better citizen. They discuss examples of these presidents’ strengths and character, as well as some of their flaws and shortcomings. With dozens of leadership traits, you can learn how to inspire optimism like Ronald Reagan, learn from your mistakes like John F. Kennedy, manage teams like Dwight D. Eisenhower, and more.
Theodore Roosevelt is often thought of as the Rough Rider and the man known for quoting the proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick….“ Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, met with Edward O’Keefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation and author of the new book called The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President to discuss another side of T.R.: the five extraordinary women without whom he may never have become the 26th President of the United States.
Join Stewart and Ed as they visit Theodore Roosevelt Island, the national memorial located in Washington, D.C.’s Potomac River, and reflect on the man born in New York City who some would call “the conservation president.” Roosevelt was an imperfect man of his time, one born to privilege but who advocated the strenuous life after struggling with ill-health and losing two of his greatest loves, his mother and his first wife, on the same day. We learn about his mother, Martha, a Southern belle with a keen wit, and Alice, his college sweetheart and first wife, who drew him away from science and into politics, including the support of women’s suffrage.
We meet T.R.’s older sister, Anna, who would become his trusted advisor and political strategist, and his younger sister, Corinne, would become one of his best promoters. Then we’re introduced to First Lady Edith Carow Roosevelt, Theodore’s childhood playmate and second wife, who would go on to leave her own mark on the White House both in the role of presidential spouse as well as with a major renovation of the Executive Mansion. Hear more about these five women, an update on the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library being built in North Dakota, and get a view of Theodore Roosevelt Island, in this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions.
Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions
Washington National Cathedral sits atop the highest point in Washington, D.C. and is the sixth largest cathedral in the world. This splendid example of Gothic architecture is not only the home to an Episcopal congregation but a house of prayer for all people from around the United States and the world. When President George Washington commissioned Major Pierre L'Enfant in 1791 to create a plan for the new capital city, L'Enfant included in his design a great church for national purposes.
The idea never happened as L'Enfant envisioned, instead it would be more than 100 years before Congress granted a charter authorizing a cathedral dedicated to religion, education, and charity. Construction began in 1907 and the Washington National Cathedral took shape during two World Wars, the Great Depression and 16 presidencies - from President Theodore Roosevelt to President George H.W. Bush. We know it today as a sacred place which holds state funerals of presidents, memorial services of great Americans, as well as national prayer services. There’s even one president buried at the Cathedral.
White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin is joined by the Very Reverend Randolph Hollerith, the 11th Dean of Washington National Cathedral, and Reverend Canon Jan Naylor Cope, the Provost of Washington National Cathedral, to discuss the role the Cathedral has played in America’s history and the indelible link it has to those who hold the office of the President of the United States. We also go on a tour of the Cathedral and see where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his final Sunday sermon, where a stone taken from the White House during the Truman renovation is embedded into a wall of the Cathedral, and many more treasures.
Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, sits down with White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin to discuss the depth of America’s Irish roots. The history between Ireland and the United States goes back to the founding of America and the Revolutionary War. Irish immigrants and their descendants helped build this country, including the Irish-born James Hoban, who emigrated to the U.S. and went on to design the White House. Millions of Americans claim their Irish heritage, including half of all U.S. presidents.
So, it's no surprise that the White House continues to mark the month of March with several St. Patrick’s Day traditions, from the gifting of shamrocks between a representative of Ireland’s leadership to the president to dyeing the water green in the White House fountains. But the relationship between Ireland and the United States extends beyond these celebrations, with diplomacy and investment driving a longstanding friendship built on a spirit of independence. In the words of President Joe Biden, "the fabric of modern America is woven through with the green of the Emerald Isle.”
Jonathan Alter, journalist and author of “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life,” talks with Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, about the remarkable journey of President Jimmy Carter from peanut farmer to Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Filmed at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., the church home of the Carters while they lived in the White House, Stewart and Jonathan met with Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell, who showed them rare memorabilia, including the Carter family’s original membership cards, where Amy received baptism, and where the President taught adult Sunday school more than a dozen times during his presidency.
Born in Plains, Georgia on October 1, 1924, President Carter grew up without running water or electricity. Eager to leave home, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, married, and served in the U.S. Navy. He and his young wife and kids returned to Plains to help save the family farm after his father passed away. From there, he took an interest in politics, working his way up from county boards to the Georgia State Senate to the Governor’s Mansion. Then he and Mrs. Carter launched into national politics, winning the 1976 election and moving to Washington, D.C. with their youngest child and only daughter, Amy. Known for a life of faith and service, the 39th President of the United States became the longest-lived president and half of the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history.
Stewart and Jonathan talk about the Carters’ time in the White House and the decades-long post-presidency they spent creating The Carter Center, which works to alleviate human suffering around the world, and among many other things, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and raising awareness about mental health and caregiving.
The Official 2024 White House Christmas Ornament features a unique design inspired by the life and presidency of Jimmy Carter. You can purchase an ornament at this link.
From the hearty Madeira to the fine Château Margaux, wine has a long and important history for presidents’ palates and life in the White House. Even during times of Temperance and Prohibition, as well as the temporary hold on social events during Covid, the serving of wine and its use as a tool of protocol and persuasion managed to persevere.
Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, interviews Frederick J. Ryan about the new edition of his book published with the Association, “Wine and the White House: A History.” Sitting in the wine cellar at The Jefferson, a hotel located just blocks from the White House, Stewart and Fred talk about the unique role wine plays in presidential entertaining and social diplomacy.
This episode showcases the features of the new edition which has chapters on all the presidents from Washington to Biden, explores several of the favorite vintages served at the White House, highlights the art of giving a toast, and pages of menus from historic White House gatherings.
Just steps away from the White House stands the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building, also known as the EEOB, and formerly known as the Old Executive Office Building.
The EEOB has been called a masterpiece of French Second Empire style yet has had its share of critics as it looks much different than most government buildings in the nation’s capital. The granite, slate and cast-iron exterior has stood for more than 150 years, and originally housed the departments of State, War, and the Navy. Today this building contains the office of the vice president, most senior presidential staff members, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the National Security Council staff, among others. Though it was threatened with alteration or demolition several times throughout its existence, and even survived a couple of fires, the EEOB was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1969. One reason this building remains in working condition is thanks to the preservation efforts of John F.W. Rogers who started the renovation process while serving as an assistant to President Ronald Reagan. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin spoke with John about his passion for preservation and education, a role John continues as the Association’s chairman of the board. Learn about the EEOB’s rich architecture and legacy, and follow along as they take you on a rare tour of the incredible spaces and hallowed halls which have borne witness to history.
On November 22, 1963, the world changed forever when President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated while campaigning in Dallas, Texas. The youngest man to have been elected president was now the youngest to die in office. That was sixty years ago, and for those who were alive at the time, it is a day they will never forget.
In this anniversary episode, White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin hears the personal experiences of several people with not only a front row seat to history, but who were a part of it: Luci Baines Johnson, the daughter of then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was in a high school class when she heard the president had been shot; former secretary of the Navy, John Dalton, marched as a midshipman with the United States Naval Academy in President Kennedy’s funeral procession; and Robert McGee, the son of a United States senator who was a friend of the president, witnessed First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and daughter Caroline pay their respects to their husband and father as he lain in state at the Capitol rotunda.
This special episode reflects how the 35th president of the United States, who served barely 1000 days of his term, inspired an entire generation to reach for a new frontier - and whose death, and promise, continues to reverberate around the world.
It was a homecoming decades in the making. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, had the unique opportunity to bring Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, back to the only place she called home before living in the White House. The Fords moved into the Alexandria, Virginia home in the 1950’s while he served as a U.S. Congressman from Michigan. It was in this home that Susan and her three older brothers grew up, celebrating birthdays and Christmases, swimming in the backyard, and eating family dinners. It was also here that Susan answered the phone when President Richard Nixon called to offer her father the job of Vice President. Little did they know that this home would also essentially be the White House until the Nixon family vacated the other one after the president resigned. It was an emotional trip down memory lane for Susan who had not returned to the landmarked home in years. While it is a private residence, the current owners were kind enough to welcome Stewart and Susan for a very special episode in which Susan shares personal stories of her time in the White House and her role in carrying on her parents’ legacy.
The Association’s Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament features decorations inspired by the handcrafted decorations used in the White House during the Ford administration. You can purchase an ornament at this link.
Since the founding of America, spouses and relatives have served as White House hostess, public servant, and unofficial presidential adviser. Their role has come to be known as first lady but the accomplishments of many have gone unrecognized - until now. Anita McBride was an assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and is the current director of American University’s First Ladies Initiative. She is also a founding member of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) alongside Diana Carlin and Nancy Kegan Smith. These three have co-authored a new college textbook called “U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies.” The textbook is the first of its kind, and includes a foreword by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. There will also be a trade book released called "Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women." Association president and host Stewart McLaurin sat down with Anita at the Dolley Madison House in Washington, DC for an insightful interview that reveals a fascinating history of how first ladies have influenced American society, public policy, diplomacy, and life in the White House.
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, welcomed respected author and historian Richard Norton Smith to a special town hall gathering to discuss his latest book “An Ordinary Man: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.” Ford was born in Nebraska and raised in Michigan, surviving a tumultuous start in life while being raised by a strong, single mother. He was a star player for University of Michigan football, and went to Yale Law School while coaching their football and boxing teams. Ford served in the navy during World War II, and returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan to practice law where he decided to enter politics. He married Elizabeth Bloomer and won a congressional seat in 1948. Ford served 25 years in Congress, rising to the position of House Minority Leader, before being tapped by President Richard Nixon to become his VP. When Ford became the nation’s first “unelected” president after Nixon resigned, he acknowledged that he was taking the oath “under extraordinary circumstances.” Richard shares many insights he discovered while writing his biography of Gerald R. Ford, including how the former president believed his wife’s historical contributions would outweigh his.
The Association’s Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament features decorations inspired by the handcrafted decorations used in the White House during the Ford administration. You can purchase an ornament at this link.
Philanthropist, stylemaker, and renowned gardener Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon was not formally trained as a horticulturist or landscape designer. However, her natural curiosity, exquisite taste, and disciplined practice, made her much sought after by anyone who wanted a gorgeous garden much like the ones she created on her estates - including President John F. Kennedy. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, traveled to Mrs. Mellon’s beloved home in Upperville, Virginia which she turned into a place for scholars to study her vast collection of books and manuscripts on plants, gardens, and landscapes, called the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. It was at Oak Spring that Stewart interviewed Thomas Lloyd about his grandmother’s most famous design: the refurbishing of the White House Rose Garden during the Kennedy administration. Lloyd is a co author of several books including “Garden Secrets of Bunny Mellon” and is a member of the Association’s National Council. They walked through Mrs. Mellon’s gardens to see what helped inspire her design of the Rose Garden, and got a rare look at the memory book handcrafted by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as a gift for her close friend Mrs. Mellon to commemorate the White House project.
Richard Haass has been the President of the Council on Foreign Relations for almost twenty years. In that role as part of an independent, nonpartisan organization much like the White House Historical Association, he has traveled at home and abroad to help people around the world better understand foreign policy choices and their impact. As he moves on from that role, he continues to educate with his new book “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens.” Haass and Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, had a lively and informative discussion about what the American people can do - both individually and collectively - to ensure the White House continues to be a symbol to the world of American freedom and democracy and for that American democracy to not only survive, but thrive.
Former Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton has written a new memoir called “At the Helm: My Journey with Family, Faith, and Friends to Calm the Storms of Life.” Dalton is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy who served as a Navy submariner much like another USNA graduate, President Jimmy Carter. Dalton is also an emeritus member of the White House Historical Association's Board of Directors. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with Dalton about working for the Carter administration and his family’s longtime friendship with the Carters, what is was like to be asked by the Clinton administration to serve as the 70th Secretary of the Navy, and how his faith and close relationships got him through the ebb and flow of life.
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Britain and the U.S. have long had what Prime Minister Winston Churchill called a “special relationship.” From adversaries to allies, the relationship between the two countries continues to evolve with each new government and administration. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sat down with Dame Karen Pierce, the British Ambassador to the United States, to discuss this special relationship, the coronation of King Charles III, and the remarkable journey Dame Pierce has had to becoming the first woman to serve in the role of British Ambassador to the U.S.
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The American experiment has long held the curiosity of people around the world, especially for Iain Dale, an award-winning British author, and radio and podcast host, who has edited a new book of essays called “The Presidents: 250 of American Political Leadership.” These essays, written by academics, historians, political journalists and others, bring a fresh angle to each of the men who have served as President of the United States. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, talks with Dale about the challenges and influences of the presidents, from George Washington to Joe Biden; the similarities and differences between the British and US forms of government; and which of the presidents are believed to have been Queen Elizabeth II’s favorites.
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In 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn in for the first of his four terms as president of the United States. It was in the depth of the Great Depression with a second world war on the horizon, and yet the man known as FDR. managed to bring hope in the most uncertain of times. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, discusses how polio shaped the future president with author Jonathan Darman whose new book is called “Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President.” Struck with polio at the age of 39, FDR drew strength from his illness and used those hard-fought lessons to lead the American people out of desperate times and into a New Deal, inspiring future presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan along the way.
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From hot dogs to haute cuisine, U.S. Presidents have communicated important messages through food. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, discusses dining diplomacy with bestselling author Alex Prud’homme whose new book is called “Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House.” Prud’homme is the great-nephew of cooking legend Julia Child and discusses how she made history by filming a State Dinner for the first time for a TV special in the 1960s. There is a full menu of stories to hear, from President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams hosting the first party at the President’s House, to the grilling techniques of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was the driving force behind a brilliant act of cultural diplomacy: bringing Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa, to the American people. After convincing everyone from her husband, President John F. Kennedy and French President Charles De Gaulle, to the French Cultural Minister and the Director of the National Gallery of Art, Mona Lisa was brought to the United States in January 1963. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with a distinguished panel about the 60th anniversary of this extraordinary exchange, which drew nearly two million visitors. Episode guests include: His Excellency, Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France to the United States; Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO of the World Monuments Fund; and Kaywin Feldman, Director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
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When First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy took on the herculean task of restoring the interior of the White House, she appointed renowned collector Henry Francis du Pont of Delaware to lead the project. Winterthur, du Pont’s home which he turned into the first Museum of American Decorative Arts in 1951, served as inspiration for the renovation. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin visited Winterthur and spoke with Elaine Rice Bachmann, curator of an exhibition based on the mentoring relationship between the reserved octogenarian and Mrs. Kennedy. “Jacqueline Kennedy and H. F. du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House” uses artifacts and images to go behind-the-scenes of this collaboration which culminated in the First Lady giving a televised tour of the renovated White House in 1962. The exhibition will be on view at the 175-room museum of American antiques and interiors outside Wilmington, DE, through January 8, 2023.
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David Rubenstein is co-founder and co-chair of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm based in Washington, DC. He is the host of several interview programs and podcasts, as well as a best-selling author. Rubenstein’s latest book is called “How to Invest: Masters on the Craft.” Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Association, sat down with Rubenstein to talk about what may be his most lasting legacy: Patriotic Philanthropy. Rubenstein has given millions of dollars to help restore American treasures including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon; and preserve important documents including the Magna Carta, the 13th Amendment, and the Emancipation Proclamation. He has also generously supported the Association’s mission of research and education. Having gotten his start as a domestic policy adviser under President Jimmy Carter, Rubenstein felt it was important to give back to the country who had given him so much and reminds us all that America was founded on volunteerism.
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White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin hosted a town hall featuring Jon Meacham at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Meacham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and historian, discussed his latest book And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle. It is at St. John’s where President Lincoln would sometimes attend services during the Civil War, quietly slipping into the last pew so as to go unnoticed. In the book and this discussion, Meacham reveals lessons that 21st century leaders and citizens can learn from Lincoln as he faced challenging times.
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Following in the footsteps of the original White House designer and builder, James Hoban, in this episode of the White House 1600 Sessions we hear from the next generation of designers who have left their mark on the White House. Association president Stewart McLaurin speaks with Tham Kannalikham, White House Historical Association Board Member and former White House decorator, as well as Steven Spandle, architect of the White House tennis pavilion. The interviews took place at a gathering in Brooklyn, NY for the White House Historical Association’s Next-Gen Leaders who learned how the plaster ornaments that decorate the new tennis pavilion were made from the host of the evening, Emily Bedard, one of the Association’s Next-Gen Leaders and the Creative Director for Foster Reeve & Associates, the architectural and ornamental plaster design firm which worked with Kannahlikham and Spandle to bring the pavilion to life.
Over 200 years ago, James Hoban left Ireland for America to pursue his dream of becoming an architect. Selected by President George Washington to design and build the President’s House, Hoban would go on to create one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world. What is now known as the White House started to come to life when its cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792. Join Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, as he travels to Hoban’s birthplace and retraces the young Irishman’s journey from County Kilkenny to Dublin, and discovers the architectural styles and designs that influenced Hoban before he set sail across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.
The White House Historical Association commissions official portraits of the president and first lady. As is the custom, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama picked their portrait artists before leaving office. The artists’ names were kept confidential - until now. The official Obama portraits were unveiled at a White House ceremony hosted by President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on September 7, 2022. Association President Stewart McLaurin spoke to the artists Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung about the challenges of this unique historical assignment, their approach to creating the portraits, and what it feels like to know your work will hang in one of the greatest galleries in the world, the White House.
Robert McCurdy painted the official White House portrait of President Barack Obama.
Sharon Sprung painted the official White House portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama.
The White House Historical Association commissions official portraits of the president and first lady. As is the custom, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama picked their portrait artists before leaving office. The artists’ names were kept confidential - until now. The official Obama portraits were unveiled at a White House ceremony hosted by President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on September 7, 2022. Association President Stewart McLaurin spoke to the artists Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung about the challenges of this unique historical assignment, their approach to creating the portraits, and what it feels like to know your work will hang in one of the greatest galleries in the world, the White House.
Robert McCurdy painted the official White House portrait of President Barack Obama.
Sharon Sprung painted the official White House portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Bartlett Sher is a Tony Award-winning director who has brought thoughtful, powerful productions to theaters, opera houses, and film. He is the Resident Director at Lincoln Center Theater and one of our greatest storytellers, using the stage to interpret and spotlight stories of American history. He has staged multiple productions at the Kennedy Center, including a tour this summer of his Award-winning adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill a Mockingbird. Next spring, Sher and writer Aaron Sorkin will debut a revival of the musical Camelot on Broadway. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy said Camelot was JFK’s favorite musical, and after his death, the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable came to symbolize the Kennedy administration.
The first White House guidebook was published in 1962 as a collaboration between First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, the new White House Historical Association, and the National Geographic Society. A special edition released on July 28th, 2022, Mrs. Kennedy’s birthday, marks the 60th anniversary of The White House: An Historic Guide. In this episode, we revisit a conversation between White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin and National Geographic Society’s Senior Director of Library and Archives Renee Braden, who shares a special oral history she recorded with Bob Breeden, one of the key people who created the first guide.
Charleston holds hints and clues to the formative years of the ambitious young Irishman James Hoban and his dream to make his mark in the United States. Join Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association and architectural historian and preservationist Shea McEnerney as they explore the Southern seaport to uncover the influences and legacy of the architect of the most famous residence in the world.
Mark K. Updegrove shares new historical perspectives on the Kennedy presidency from his recent book, Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency. The author, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, and White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin explore the relationship between President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, the assessment of Kennedy among world leaders, and what might have been had the young President lived.
From reflections to a historical lightning round, Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, catches up with the Association's Next-Gen Leaders at the recent Presidential Sites Summit in Dallas. These advocates of White House history and all it represents, share their own experiences with Presidential history and even put Stewart on the spot.
A donation from the Recording Industry Association of America to the Nixon White House, the White House Recording Library was comprised of 2,000 LPs, and overseen by a committee of scholars, journalists, and musicians. The library was then stored away and forgotten. John Chuldenko, the grandson of President Jimmy Carter, recalls hearing stories of the collection and began his search to uncover the lost music. He shares his quest and discovery with White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin.
There is a long history of Scottish influence on the White House, dating back to the Scottish stonemasons that contributed to the construction of the Executive Mansion. Perhaps one of the most unique Scottish connections is through President Abraham Lincoln and famed poet Robert Burns. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks with Professor Murray Pittock, Burns historian and professor of literature at the University of Glasgow, and Mr. Ian Houston, President of the Scottish Business Network Americas, about President Abraham Lincoln and his fondness of Robert Burns and Scottish culture throughout his life.
Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has created the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Collecting and gifting these unique ornaments has become a holiday tradition for millions of Americans, and all ornament sales support the mission of the Association. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks with the individual who came up with the idea to begin the ornament initiative, Richard Rovsek. After that conversation, Stewart talks with Dave Marquis and Kim Fyfe from ChemArt, the exclusive manufacturer of the ornament since 1981.
Since November 3, 1961, the White House Historical Association has served as the private partner to the White House to enrich, enhance, and promote the history of the Executive Mansion. The Association hosted a gala at The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in November 2021 to celebrate our 60 year history. In this episode, White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin reflects on moments from the Association’s 60th Anniversary Gala with segments from the evening’s program.
Thousands of people traverse historic Lafayette Park every day to get a glimpse of the White House. The park, right in the heart of the President’s Neighborhood, has a long and storied history that is largely unknown to visitors of this historic space. In this episode of the 1600 Sessions podcast, Stewart McLaurin is joined by Hilary West and Royce L. Dickerson, the narrators of the newly installed wayside exhibit markers created by the White House Historical Association in partnership with the National Park Service. West is the Executive Director for Federal Government Relations at JPMorgan Chase and Dickerson is an MBA Candidate at the University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business.
The White House is a ceremonial stage upon which our nation welcomes our most important visitors, including foreign heads of state. These State Visits often begin with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, and the US Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps is a staple of those ceremonies. In this episode, Stewart McLaurin talks SGM J. Mark Reilly, Senior Enlisted Band Leader, and SGM(R) Billy White, Former Operations Sergeant Major, about the history and global work of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
On February 23, 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy launched the most historic and celebrated redesign of the White House in its history. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews the authors of “Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration and its Legacy,” James Archer Abbott and Elaine Rice Bachmann about the legacy and making of one of the most influential interior design projects in American history.
Although visitors from around the world have the opportunity to visit the White House every year, few kids have the opportunity to have the experience of their parents working in the White House. Children of White House staff get a special look at the inner workings of the Executive Mansion and some even get to know the President and First Family on a personal level. In this episode, Stewart McLaurin interviews author Giovanna McBride about her new book published by the White House Historical Association titled Gigi at the White House.
Nancy Reagan was an iconic First Lady who helped shape the legacy of one of the most consequential presidencies of the 20th century. She was known for the tremendous grace, intelligence, and style that she brought to her role as First Lady and as President Reagan’s most steadfast supporter and admirer. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks with Washington Post Columnist Karen Tumulty about Nancy Reagan’s legacy and her new book The Triumph of Nancy Reagan.
Since the laying of the cornerstone in 1792, Freemasons have played an important role in the construction and the history of the White House, with members including Irish architect James Hoban and many presidents from George Washington to Gerald Ford. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jason Van Dyke, Director of Communications of the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC, and Chris Ruli, the DC Grand Lodge’s Historian & Librarian, about Freemasonry and the White House.
James Hoban came from humble beginnings as a young carpenter and architect in Ireland, and went on to collaborate with George Washington on the design and construction of one of the most iconic buildings in the world. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews three contributors to the Association’s new book, “James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House” - Dr. Christopher Moran, Merlo Kelly and Andrew McCarthy - about the architecture that inspired Hoban’s most famous work.
The first White House guidebook was published in 1962 as collaboration between First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, the new White House Historical Association, and the National Geographic Society. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to National Geographic Society’s Senior Director of Library and Archives Renee Braden, who shares an oral history about the first guidebook, recorded with one of the people who was instrumental in its creation, Bob Breeden.
In this first episode of 2021, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin introduces the Association’s popular virtual program History Happy Hour, and shares conversations with historians, first family members, and other presidential staff about the lives of presidents and first ladies throughout American history.
In this final episode of 2020, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin has a conversation with presidential historian Michael Beschloss. They discuss the 220 years of White House history and the Association’s work over the past 60 years to support conservation, preservation, and acquisitions and to make the White House accessible and relatable to Americans today.
Since the James Madison presidency, St. John’s Church has been an important part of the life of Lafayette Square and of the nation at large. In this special Thanksgiving episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin interviews the Rector of St. John’s Church, Rev. Rob Fisher, about the many historic ties that it shares with the White House, and how its congregation approaches both its history and its contemporary mission.
For the past four years, the monthly 1600 Sessions podcast has told the story of the White House through conversations with historians and eyewitnesses to the history at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In this 50th episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects back on some of his favorite moments from the first 49 episodes.
Wine has a long and important history in the White House, playing a unique role in entertaining, public ceremonies, and even global diplomacy. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin interviews Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., about his new book published with the Association, “Wine and the White House: A History,” providing a comprehensive look at each president’s experiences with wine.
The transfer of power from one administration to the next is a hallmark of American democracy, but it hasn’t always been an orderly experience. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Dr. Martha Kumar, Director or the White House Transition Project, and Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and former Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, about the history and evolution of presidential transitions.
Every administration brings their own personality to the White House, particularly when it comes to the look and feel of the upstairs family quarters. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Michael S. Smith, the “Decorator-in-Chief” for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, about his new book, “Designing History, the Extraordinary Art and Style of the Obama White House.”
Each year, the National History Day Contest encourages more than half a million students around the world to conduct historical research on a topic of their choice. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to student Jack Ghormley of Conway Junior High School in Arkansas, winner of the White House History award at the 2020 National History Day Contest, about his winning documentary, “The Fireside Chats: FDR Breaking Barriers in Presidential Communication,” and why he thinks history matters.
When you’re cooking for the president and first family, your meals and recipes become a part of history. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Matthew Wendel about his book, “Recipes From the President's Ranch: Food People Like to Eat,” a first-hand account of his time serving as personal chef for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush and their family and world leaders at Camp David and their Texas home, Prairie Chapel Ranch.
This year marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the culmination of the suffragists' fight to secure the right to vote for women. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to authors and historians Rebecca Roberts, Elaine Weiss and Colleen Shogan about the longest social movement in American history, and the story of how suffragists lobbied presidents and became the first protesters to picket at the gates of the White House.
Every year, the White House Fellows program gives young, talented Americans the opportunity to work in the White House alongside White House staff, cabinet members and senior officials. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks with Elizabeth Pinkerton, Director of the President’s Commission on White House Fellows, Stephanie Ferguson, President of the White House Fellows Alumni Association, and Andy Ku, a recent White House Fellow, about their experience with the program and how its members shape the history of the White House and our country.
In this special episode of The 1600 Sessions, financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin to discuss the work of the Association during the recent period of the COVID-19 pandemic and protests in Lafayette Square, and how the history of “The People’s House” provides context to the challenges of the present day.
George Washington might not have become the Founding Father we know today if not for the influence of his mother. For Mother’s Day, Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Craig Shirley, author of “Mary Ball Washington: The Untold Story of Washington’s Mother,” about how our first president’s life and personality was shaped by the unique character of his mother.
Throughout our history, presidents have faced crises that have gripped both the nation and the world. In this episode, Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to Paul Sparrow, Director of the FDR Library and Museum, and Mark Updegrove, President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation, about the unique challenges these two presidents faced, and the leadership skills that helped them navigate these challenges.
The White House is a symbol of freedom and democracy, but from its very conception it had a paradoxical relationship with the institution of slavery. In this episode, Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to Association historians Matthew Costello, Lindsay Chervinsky, and Lina Mann about their groundbreaking work researching and telling the stories of the enslaved individuals that built, worked at, and lived in or near the White House.
To Learn more about our Slavery in the President’s Neighborhood initiative, visit our landing page.
The institution of slavery and the stories of enslaved people have always been a part of the fabric of White House history. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin introduces a conversation between financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, about the history and legacy of slavery in the nation’s capital, held at St. John’s Church on February 5, 2020.
After President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wanted her husband to be remembered through a national cultural center that would serve as a living memorial. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Deborah Rutter, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, about the origins of the Kennedy Center, its mission to honor President Kennedy's legacy through support of the arts, and how it has had a relationship with the White House over time.
The White House is known for its creative confections and desserts, particularly during the holiday season. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to Chef Roland Mesnier about his experiences serving as White House Pastry Chef for five presidential administrations, detailed in his new book, Creating the Sweet World of White House Desserts: A Pastry Chef’s Secrets, co-written with his former pastry assistant Mark Ramsdell.
From diplomatic dinners to holiday gatherings, the White House has always played a central role in the nation’s official entertainment. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to historian and author Jennifer Pickens about her new book, Entertaining at the White House: Decades of Presidential Traditions, and the entertainment styles of recent Presidents and First Ladies.
For more than 60 years, the President of the United States has flown in a helicopter for domestic and international travel. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to two former Marine One pilots, Colonel Steve Taylor and Colonel Kevin Wild, and the president of Sikorsky Dan Schultz about the role of Sikorsky helicopters in the history of presidential travel.
Learn more about the Official 2019 White House Christmas Ornament, honoring President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s commitment to innovation as the first sitting president to use regular helicopter transportation, here.
George Washington never lived in the White House, but played a major role in its design, as well as the design of the capital city that bears his name. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Association Historian Dr Matthew R. Costello, author of “The Property of the Nation: George Washington's Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President” about George Washington’s legacy and the important precedents he set, including how the nation remembers and memorializes our presidents.
When heads of state visit the United States and the White House, the United States Chief of Protocol is on point and the official President’s guest residence, Blair House, may be where the head of state stays. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to three former Chiefs of Protocol - Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt, Lloyd Hand and Capricia Marshall - about their experiences in that role and the importance of Blair House in American diplomacy.
In this episode, we turn the tables on the podcast’s usual format. Financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin, posing more than fifty questions on White House trivia. It’s the perfect way to brush up on White House knowledge, covering all the basics as well as little known facts about the Executive Mansion.
Camp David has provided presidents and their families with a recreational retreat from the White House, as well as a place for presidential diplomacy since the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin joins a panel discussion hosted at The George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas to discuss recollections and stories of life at Camp David.
First Lady Barbara Bush was admired for her authenticity, as well as her advocacy on issues such as preserving the White House, family literacy, and diplomatic relations during the closing days of the Cold War. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks with USA Today Bureau Chief Susan Page about Barbara Bush’s legacy and her new book, The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty.
For more than two hundred years, Lafayette Square has been home to a wide variety of historical figures, from diplomats and naval heroes to future presidents and even former First Ladies. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews author and historian William Seale about his new book, To Live on Lafayette Square: Society and Politics in the President's Neighborhood.
The White House includes 18 acres of historic grounds and gardens that have been cultivated for more than two hundred years by presidents and their gardeners. This spring, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jonathan Pliska, author of A Garden for the President, and Linda Jane Holden, author of The Gardens of Bunny Mellon, about the evolution of the White House gardens.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Patricia Nixon entering the White House as First Lady. Through hard work and a personal touch, she had a remarkable influence on not only the White House, including its collection and preservation, but also on the role of First Lady. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Anita McBride, Former Chief of Staff to Laura Bush, Bob Bostock, Special Assistant to Former President Nixon, and Melanie Eisenhower, Granddaughter of Richard and Pat Nixon and Great-Granddaughter of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, about the life and legacy of First Lady Pat Nixon.
President Eisenhower’s White House helped set the tone for an era of peace, economic prosperity, and technological advancement in America. For this year’s Presidents Day, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Dr. William Hitchcock, professor of history at the University of Virginia, about his book, “The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s.”
Military Social Aides perform a vital role for White House events, assisting the Social Secretary and representing the President and First Lady. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews former Social Secretary Ann Stock, as well as three former Military Social Aides about their experiences at the White House, including former Governor and Senator Charles “Chuck” Robb, founder of C-SPAN Brian Lamb, and Kenn Riordan, Jr., who leads The Society of White House Military Aides.
Throughout its history, the White House has hosted not only important ceremonies of state, but also more personal, family ceremonies, including weddings. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Lynda Johnson Robb, former First Lady of Virginia, about her historic White House wedding in December 1967, and her memories of her time living in the White House
Fearless leaders have walked the halls of White House for centuries. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and a member of the Association's Board, about what it takes to exhibit fearless leadership, and how Presidents and First Ladies have inspired the nation throughout our history.
The Bellangé furniture, originally purchased by James Monroe, has adorned the Blue Room in the White House for decades. Thanks to ongoing efforts by the Curator’s Office, the furniture is now being restored as close as possible to when originally crafted. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Lydia Tederick, Curator of the White House, and Melissa Naulin, Assistant Curator of the White House, to hear more about this restoration process, and the fascinating history of these iconic pieces.
The White House Historical Association is making history come alive in new and interesting ways. Stewart McLaurin hosts a roundtable discussion with Monica Logothetis, founder of DreamWakers; Janet Tran with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute; and Julie Teer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to discuss how the Association partners with these dynamic organizations to teach the relevance of White House history to today’s students across the country and around the world.
The National Archives has been collecting records of the United States since 1934. It holds billions of documents, photographs, and objects that tell the story of our country and our Presidents. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to David Ferriero, the Archivist of the United States, about the importance of record-keeping, and how presidential libraries tell the story of a president’s time in the White House.
Baseball has been known as our national pastime and tied to the presidency as far back as the Lincoln administration. In commemoration of the 2018 Major League All-Star Game in Washington, D.C., Stewart McLaurin talks to three experts on baseball and the presidency: former White House speechwriter and author Curt Smith, former sports reporter and author Fred Frommer, and sports lawyer and former PA announcer Phil Hochberg.
For two hundred years, Decatur House has stood as a near neighbor to the White House across Lafayette Square. Stewart McLaurin talks to Katherine Malone-France of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and antiques and fine arts expert Osborne Mackie about the rich history of the first private residence in the president’s neighborhood.
In 1792, Irish immigrant James Hoban won a contest to design the White House and created an enduring symbol for America and the world. Stewart McLaurin talks to Ed Lengel and Merlo Kelly about their forthcoming book on Hoban’s architectural legacy, and Scottish stonemason Charles Jones about recreating the historic stone carvings of the White House.
The history of the White House appears in unexpected places, from trivia questions at Major League Baseball games to archival photos and a tour of the White House on your smartphone. Stewart McLaurin hosts a roundtable discussion with Association partners Teresa Carlson of Worldwide Public Sector at Amazon Web Services, Valerie Camillo of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club and Margaret Talev of the White House Correspondents’ Association, about how twenty-first century partnerships help preserve and promote the history of the White House, and how history is relevant and alive to us today.
In 1963, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy helped arrange one of the most daring art exhibits in American history, bringing Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting from Paris to Washington, DC, and New York City. Stewart McLaurin talks to award-winning author Margaret Leslie Davis about her book ‘Mona Lisa in Camelot,” recalling the Mona Mania that gripped the country, and why this fascinating episode has been largely forgotten today.
No recent president has had more impact on the White House than Harry S. Truman, who both modernized the building and preserved it for future generations. Stewart McLaurin talks with President Truman’s grandson, Clifton Daniel, about the historic White House renovations during the Truman administration, and his memories of his grandparents during their long retirement from the presidency.
Death comes to every home, including the White House. From the loss of cherished family members to presidential funerals, there are many established White House traditions surrounding grief. Stewart McLaurin explores the history of presidential mourning with the Association’s Senior Historian, Matthew Costello, Calvin Coolidge biographer Amity Shlaes, and Kevin Eckstrom of the Washington National Cathedral.
From your family to the First Family, the winter holidays are a special time of year. Stewart McLaurin explores the history behind Christmas traditions at the White House, talking to Jennifer Pickens, author of “Christmas at the White House,” former Chief Usher Gary Walters, and former Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier.
From entertainment to diplomacy, music has played an important role in White House history. Stewart McLaurin talks to Colonel Jason Fettig, Director of the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, about the organization that has provided the soundtrack for the White House and America for more than 200 years. The Marine Band is featured in The White House Historical Association’s latest publication, Music at the White House.
The White House Historical Association has been preserving and sharing White House history since its founding by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. Stewart McLaurin interviews two people who were there from the beginning - Nash Castro and Leonard Silverstein - and former Chief Usher Gary Walters about the impact of the Association over the past 56 years.
The White House has always shaped the lives of the Presidents and First Families who have lived there, and reflected the mood and times of the country at large. Stewart McLaurin talks to presidential historian Michael Beschloss about some of his favorite stories from White House history, and the important role the Executive Mansion plays, both symbolic and day-to-day for Presidents and the nation.
Who takes care of the thousands of historic artifacts in the White House, cataloguing and preserving everything from presidential portraits to presidential china? And how does that person balance the needs of a building that is both a museum and symbol of American democracy, as well as an office and a family home? Stewart D. McLaurin interviews former White House Curator William Allman about his forty-year career caring for a house full of American treasures through eight presidential administrations.
How do you plan for a State Dinner with hundreds of guests, a private meal with a King and Queen or an historic peace treaty signing? What does it take to host several public events each day, as well as private events for the President, First Lady and their family? Stewart D. McLaurin interviews former White House Social Secretaries Ann Stock and Amy Zantzinger for a behind-the-scenes look at planning events in the Executive Mansion.
The White House has seen many physical changes throughout its more than 200 years of history. But its original stone walls, taken from a quarry in Aquia, Virginia, have always endured, surviving the fires of war and major twentieth century renovations. Stewart D. McLaurin interviews author William Seale about his new book, “A White House of Stone,” which tells the story of the original construction of the President’s House - and the men who built it - from the ground up.
The burning of the White House by the British in 1814 during James Madison’s presidency represented a low point in our political relations with England - but its restoration during James Monroe’s administration demonstrated a high point of our cultural connections to France. For the 200th anniversary of Monroe’s moving back into the White House, Stewart McLaurin interviews White Historical Association Historians Edward Lengel and Matthew Costello about the British invasion and a French restoration.
Spring is a special time in our nation’s capital, when cherry blossoms bloom and the White House garden comes alive. Some spring traditions - like the famous White House Easter Egg Roll - date back to the 19th Century, while others are more recent additions. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jim McDaniel, former Director of the White House Liaison for the National Park Service, and Ellie Schafer, former Director of the White House Visitors Office, about preserving the grounds and gardens and planning the iconic events that welcome thousands of visitors to the White House each year to celebrate the beginning of spring.
Portrait artists have captured the images and personalities of our Presidents and First Ladies throughout history, providing a record of their time in office and highlighting their accomplishments and leadership. It wasn’t always tradition to commission a portrait for the president, as it is today. Each one comes with a unique story, from the symbolism in the portrait to the artist who painted it. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Former White House Curator Betty Monkman and Art Historian William Kloss to learn more about the history of these portraits, how the White House began to collect them, and the stories they tell.
Americans are familiar with the ceremonies of Inauguration Day, when a new President takes the oath of office at the Capitol. But what happens behind closed doors at the White House when you have just a few frantic hours to prepare for a new First Family? From the private residence and West Wing to the public State Rooms, what changes and what stays the same when a new President enters 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? In our inaugural podcast, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Anita McBride, a veteran of three presidential administrations, about the historic traditions and the organized chaos behind this most iconic of Moving Days.
The White House Historical Association presents The 1600 Sessions, a podcast that explores the history, untold stories and personal accounts of America’s most iconic residence and office – The White House.