The White House 1600 Sessions

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.  Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions

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. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/ #whitehouse #whitehousehistory #whha

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. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/ #whitehouse #whitehousehistory #whha

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. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/ #whitehouse #whitehousehistory #whha

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.   Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/ #whitehouse #whitehousehistory #whha

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.  Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-house-1600-sessions Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/  

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.   Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/160... Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/

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. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/160... Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/

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. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/160... Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/

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. Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/160... Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/ #whitehouse #whitehousehistory #whha #Lincoln

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.

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.