2019 Holiday Book Fair and Shopping Event

Nov 06, 2019 Washington, D.C. —

The White House Historical Association’s annual Holiday Book Fair and Shopping Event is a full day of festivities with nearly 20 authors available to sign copies of their award-winning books, live music, and more.

Since 1962, the White House Historical Association has published books on the history of the White House—covering topics including architecture, gardens, fine and decorative arts, food, and presidential families. Authors include former White House staffers, historians, political cartoonists, and scholars from diverse fields.

The 2019 Holiday Book Fair and Shopping Event will feature:

• 20 of our award-winning authors will be signing 40 titles
• A live holiday piano performance on an exact replica of the gilded grand piano made by Steinway and Sons for Theodore Roosevelt's White House
• Reproductions of two dresses worn by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and featured in the Association’s White House History Quarterly "Mid-Century Fashion and the First Ladies" will be on display
• An exhibit of the ten winning photos submitted to the White House History Quarterly Call for Photos for publication in an issue on "Photographing the White House" will be on display
• Artist John Hutton will give lessons in drawing presidential portraits to demonstrate the methods in his new book, How to Draw the Presidents
• Customers may enter a raffle to win an original drawing by John Hutton
• Special Guest: President Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by Bill Barker of Monticello) will share insights on his life and on the history of the White House and will sign his new book, Becoming Jefferson
• Former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier will discuss his secrets for creating special desserts for five presidents and will sign his latest book, Creating the Sweet World of White House Desserts. A selection of the Chef's antique and handmade ice cream and chocolate molds will be on display and his own White House eggnog recipe will be served.
• Examples of President Obama’s presidential china will be on display and former White House Curator William Allman, author of Official White House China, will be available to answer questions
• Author of A Garden for the President, Jonathan Pliska, will discuss his collection of heirloom seeds which match those purchased for the earliest White House gardens
• A limited number of the signed and numbered deluxe edition of To Live on Lafayette Square by William Seale will be available on a first come basis.
• Author of The Stephen Decatur House: A History, Osborne Mackie, will discuss artifacts in the Decatur House collection, which will be on display

The White House History Gift Shop will also be open with an opportunity to purchase new and exclusive items available this season including ornaments and cards, men’s and women’s jewelry, holiday décor, scarves, neckties, items for the home and office, gifts for children, framed prints and posters.

WHEN: Friday, December 6, 2019; 11AM–6:30PM

WHERE: 1610 H Street NW, Washington D.C., 20009

All books and exclusive gifts are also available at shop.whitehousehistory.org.

If you are interested in covering this event as a member of the press, please contact press@whha.org.