A Letter from Stewart D. McLaurin

My first trip to Washington was in the fifth grade, and I came as a part of our school's safety patrol trip. In fact, in my office, there is a wonderful picture of our group on the lawn of the Capitol. I have very vivid memories of my visit and those historic places - like the White House - had an immense impact on me at a young age. I gained an appreciation and an awareness for those that lived and worked in the White House, and the history that occurred in those spaces. The White House is a symbol of freedom and democracy to billions of people around the world. Many of these people will never come to our country, visit the White House, or meet an American - but they know what that house represents. I see it as our obligation to make the White House accessible for the great number of people who are interested in learning and sharing the history of this great space. The White House is a place with all kinds of life inside its walls. It's a place of leadership for our own President and leaders from around the world. But it is also a place of legacy of all - whether dignitary or citizen - who have spent time in the Executive Mansion. This is the legacy that the White House Historical Association is charged with sharing, maintaining, and preserving for future generations. We pride our collection on being the very best of American artists and furnishing.s This was very important to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy when she came to the White House in 1961. Prior to Mrs. Kennedy, treasures that adorned the White House had been dispersed across the world. Mrs. Kennedy wanted to bring the very best back to the White House to create a museum standard for this building. Part of accomplishing that was establishing the Whit House Historical Association with the mission to conserve these beautiful spaces, acquire new art and furnishings for the permanent White House Collection, and to tell the story of this house - the people who have lived there, the events that have taken place there, and those moments that have shaped our country. The White House does not belong to any one person or President. The White House belongs to the American people. The White House Historical Association ended the second decade of the twenty-first century on an extraordinarily high note. The ways in which the Association fulfilled the mission established by its founds in 1961 - to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the historic White House - were numerous and very successful. During my sixth year of service to the Association, my belief in our mission is stronger than ever and we have the best team assembled to meet the challenges of the present and the future. Respectfully, Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association.