Visiting the White House, White House History #46

Aug 10, 2017 Washington, D.C. —

The White House Historical Association announces “Visiting the White House" White House History # 46, which explores the wide-ranging circumstances of a visit to the White House with first person accounts of special memories, articles about royal visits and remarkable souvenir and photograph collections that bring to life the significance of what for many is a once in a lifetime experience. The journal is now available for pre-order.

Highlights include:

• A collection of photographs recently donated to the White House Historical Association is unveiled by historian Clifford Krainik of Warrenton, Virginia, with his article, “Visitors to the White House: Photography by John DiJoseph Preserved by George Pettinato.” DiJoseph, who photographed visitors to the White House for 50 years, captured thousands of tourists, movie starts, heads of state, and everyday callers to the Oval Office
• A series of articles on royal tours including the unofficial visit of the Tsar’s 21-year-old grandson who was received at the White House in 1871 and continued his tour across America by hunting out west with General Custer
• The first person account of WHHA Board Member Jeannine Smith Clark, who grew up in the segregated 1940s and now reflects on how she came to fulfill her grandfather’s hope that she be prepared to dine as a guest at the White House

In this issue, Rebecca Yerkes Rogers explains in "Collecting White House Memories Silver Spoons as Souvenirs” that by the late 19^th century, spoons had become a popular way of preserving memories of a trip to Washington, D.C. Yerkes shares her remarkable collection of silver spoons, made by such renown manufacturers as Galt and Company, which not only depict the White House but also commemorate the city's architectural superlatives and such historic events as presidential inaugurations.

Retired Smithsonian historian Lonn Taylor takes us back to the Washington, D.C., of the 1950s with his vivid childhood memories of exploring the city with his parents. It is not until the 1980s that he makes his once in a lifetime visit to the White House as a researcher and he has the ultimate guest experience, an unexpected encounter with the president.

In addition, historian Alan Capps, a doctoral student at George Mason University writes “A Royal Tour Makes a Stop in Washington: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Visit the White House.” William Seale, editor of White House History, explains, "No visit has been more successful, as the charming couple quietly beckoned popular American support of Britain, which would be at war with Germany by September 1939, only three months after their visit to the White House."

White House History is published four times each year by the White House Historical Association and features articles on White House history, architecture, fine and decorative arts, the gardens and grounds, as well as the stories of those who have lived and worked there.

This issue of White House History retails for $9.95 and is available for pre-order here. It will be available for purchase in early September online and in The White House Historical Association’s Washington, D.C. store locations.

To subscribe to White House History, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.

For media inquiries: please contact at press@whha.org.

About the White House Historical Association

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $45 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.

To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.