2023 National History Day Resources
The White House Historical Association (WHHA) offers many different resources for students working on National History Day projects.
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The White House Historical Association (WHHA) offers many different resources for students working on National History Day projects.
Matthew R. Costello is chief education officer for the White House Historical Association where he oversees education programs, historical research, public programming, partnerships, and the digital library. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in American history at Marquette University. He received his B.A. in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a scholar, he
Stewart D. McLaurin serves as president of the White House Historical Association, founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy more than sixty years ago to share and preserve the rich history of the White House. In his nine years as leader of the private nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Stewart has expanded the Association’s cultural and educational programming through award-winning books, popular vi
Colleen Shogan became the eleventh archivist of the United States in May 2023. Most recently, Dr. Shogan served as senior vice president and director of the David M. Rubenstein Center at the White House Historical Association. She previously worked in the United States Senate and as a senior executive at the Library of Congress. Dr. Shogan was the vice chair of
Sara Kanawati Stephany is the co-chair of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library New Frontier Network—a cohort of young leaders engaging new generations in the late president’s legacy of service. She works as a communications and public affairs strategist for leading organizations in the healthcare, technology, and human service sectors. A naturalized U.S. citizen from Syria, Kanawati Step
Foreword by Marcia Mallet AndersonTime on the Water: The Floating White House and the Presidents at Sea by Kenneth T. WalshGeorge Washington: Father of the United States Navy by Matthew GoetzThe Resolute Desk: A British Naval Ship Becomes an Oval Office Treasure by Patrick BurrA Titanic Loss: Remembering Archibald Butt and Francis Millet by Matthew CostelloPresident Calvin Coolidge, Lee Ping
Since 1878, American presidents and their families have celebrated Easter Monday by hosting an 'egg roll' party. Held on the South Lawn, it is one of the oldest annual events in White House history. Some historians note that First Lady Dolley Madison originally suggested the idea of a public egg roll, while others tell stories of informal egg-rolling parties at the
In 1878, Easter Monday celebrants who were not allowed to roll eggs on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol headed up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. The children knew about the low hills on the South Lawn, and hoped their egg rolling games would be permitted there. President Rutherford B. Hayes instructed his guards to let the youngsters through
In the beginning, children came into the White House with baskets of brightly dyed hard-boiled eggs. On Easter Monday, 1885, young egg rollers marched into the East Room, hoping for a personal audience with President Grover Cleveland. When he came down from his office to greet them, he was charmed. These visitors ruined the East Room carpet, which, as the Washington
Eleven years after the Easter Monday egg rolling festivities came to the White House, President Benjamin Harrison scored a hit by adding music to the affair. In 1889, he had the United States Marine Band, known as "The President's Own," play lively tunes while the children romped on the South Lawn. John Philip Sousa, who directed the band, took delight in
Once the White House was opened to public egg rolling festivities in 1878, first families had to decide whether they were going to join the throng of celebrants or just organize and play host to it. Previously, the South Lawn was reserved for their own private Eastertide activities. Now the grounds represented a famous rite of spring for the nation's capital.
First pets are a popular attraction at the White House Egg Roll. Canine attendees of the event have included a wide variety of beloved purebreds and mutts. Animals as diverse as President Benjamin Harrison's toy pony, First Lady Grace Coolidge's raccoon and the 1,200-pound steer brought in by the Carters for their petting zoo have appeared on the South Lawn