White House Historical Association Leverages Amazon Web Services to Expand Digitization of Historical Assets
Technology services to help increase public access to White House historyWashington, D.C. —
The White House Historical Association today announced a new innovative and strategic use of Amazon Web Services (AWS), expanding the Association’s digital archive and making educational materials more accessible to the public through the power of the AWS Cloud.
The White House Historical Association is leveraging the AWS Cloud to expand the digitization of White House artifacts and assets in the Digital Library. The Library holds thousands of images of the White House covering its entire history, including exterior views, images of rooms and furnishings, and photos of events including inaugurations and holiday celebrations. In support of the Association’s educational mission, each image is accompanied by carefully documented historical information provided free to the public in an easy-to-use format. Using AWS will allow significant expansion of the Library through infrastructure development, advanced cloud computing technology, and other AWS Partner Network (APN) services.
The Association also plans to leverage AWS to increase access to the White House beyond physical tours with a mobile application. This app would focus on major historical elements in famous rooms of the White House, allowing people across the country to experience a White House tour with access to an online wealth of White House history.
“An important part of the White House Historical Association’s mission is education – especially for those that can’t experience it in Washington. By leveraging AWS, we will increase public access and bring White House history across the country to millions of Americans,” said Stewart D. McLaurin, White House Historical Association President.
“It’s an honor to be working with the White House Historical Association on this important initiative to digitize its artifacts; making thousands of historical treasures accessible to the public. Cloud technology has become critical to developing the next generation of collecting, managing, preserving, and engaging with cultural assets,” said Teresa Carlson, Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector, Amazon Web Services.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit: www.whitehousehistory.org.
P.D.F. Resources
Download the ReleaseAbout 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 nonprofit, nonpartisan 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 $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.