Presidential Sites Leaders & Former White House Chiefs of Staff to Present at Dallas Summit on Inclusive WH Histories, Civic Engagement, First Ladies’ Impact

Feb 22, 2022 Washington, D.C. —

The White House Historical Association will bring together leading stewards of presidential history from presidential sites including birthplaces, childhood homes, and libraries for the second Presidential Sites Summit hosted by the Association March 15-18 in Dallas, TX. The 4-day gathering, themed “The White House Belongs to the American People,” will draw leaders from presidential sites across the country - and from across the spectrum of historical professions - reconnecting them with the domain that connects each presidency: the White House.

WHERE: Summit sessions will be held at historic Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce St., Dallas TX 75202.

The Summit will be hosted by White House Historical Association Board Member Anita McBride and Association President Stewart McLaurin. McLaurin has greatly expanded the Association’s educational programming and award-winning publications that teach the story of White House history. McBride's White House service spans two decades and three presidential administrations and leads the First Ladies Initiative at American University.

McBride and McLaurin will be available for interviews.

The Presidential Sites Summit will include:

• An evening event at Old Parkland featuring a discussion with former chiefs of staff to presidents and first ladies including Tina Tchen, former Assistant to President Barack Obama & Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama; Andrew H. Card, Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush & Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy; Thomas "Mack" McLarty, Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton & Chairman of McLarty Associates; Anita McBride, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush & Chair, Presidential Sites Summit; Mark Updegrove, Moderator, President & CEO, LBJ Foundation.
• A reception and program at the George W. Bush Presidential Center featuring welcome remarks from former First Lady Laura Bush and a discussion between former Bush administration alumni about the lighter side of working at the White House with stories and memories that most people do not get to hear or experience. After the program, participants will visit the exhibit spaces including the newly opened Liberty and Laughter: The Lighter Side of the White House
• An evening event at AT&T Stadium, “A Presidential Tribute with David M. Rubenstein” to include reception, dinner, and program
• General sessions on topics including: Sparking Civic Engagement Through History Education, Making History Accessible Through Technology, First Ladies Impact and Influence, Towards Inclusive History: Slavery and Race, Presidential Mourning and Tragedy: Interpreting and Remembering, Donor Cultivation in a Post Pandemic Environment, Maximizing Site Potential
• Networking breakfasts and lunch programs, exhibit booths, optional day trips to presidential sites

See a complete schedule of events and participating speakers here.

Register for the Summit

If you are interested in covering this event as a member of the press, you must contact Jessica Fredericks, Assistant Vice President of Communications at Jfredericks@whha.org to reserve a space.

About the Presidential Sites Summit

This national conference is held every two years and hosted at a site with significant connections to the American presidency. The conference attracts attendees representing institutions from all regions of the country and from across the spectrum of the historical profession. Primarily, attendees work at institutions that:

• Have as their mission the lives and times of a president or a first lady of the United States of America
• Provide stewardship and regularly exhibit or make available to the public a presidential collection or property
• Offer educational programs and provide opportunities for research and scholarship; and
• Any other entity with a history of Presidential or White House Connection

The Presidential Sites Summit community includes federal institutions such as National Archives libraries and National Park Service sites, sites of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (President Lincoln’s Cottage, Montpelier, and Woodrow Wilson House), private institutions of all sizes, and any other entity with a history of presidential or White House activity or connection.