Stewart D. McLaurin

Stewart D. McLaurin serves as president of the White House Historical Association, founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 to share and preserve the rich history of the White House, a symbol of freedom and democracy to billions of people around the world. A private nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the Association continues to fulfill Mrs. Kennedy's vision through its mission to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion.

In his nine years as president, he has expanded the Association’s cultural and educational programming through award-winning books, popular video series, and virtual and in-person events. Embracing cutting-edge and creative ways to convey rich content to expanding audiences, Stewart has worked to ensure that White House history will be preserved for future generations.

Stewart is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions, the Association’s official audio and video podcast devoted to exploring the history, cultural impact, untold stories, and personal accounts of America’s most iconic residence and highest office. He is a member of the USA Today Board of Contributors and writes a monthly column about the history of the White House and our nation’s presidents and first ladies.

He is the author of the 2023 children’s book, The White House, Designed by James Hoban Built by Many Hands!, as well as the 2021 anthology James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House, which presents the life and work of the little-known Irish-American architect who was handpicked by George Washington to design the President’s House. His first book, White House Miscellany, features interesting anecdotes about life in the White House, as well as facts and figures about the building itself.

For more than 35 years, Stewart has held leadership roles with national nonprofit and higher education organizations, including George Washington's Mount Vernon, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, the Motion Picture Association of America, Georgetown University, and the American Red Cross.

While serving as the executive director of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration, he was responsible for the yearlong program of national and international events and initiatives for the Ronald Reagan Centennial earning the PRWeek Award for Non-Profit National Campaign of the Year.

Stewart serves on the board of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation; the Metropolitan Club Preservation Foundation; and the National Trust of Scotland USA Foundation. He is also a senior advisor for Concordia, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to actively fostering, elevating, and sustaining cross-sector partnerships for social impact. Stewart also serves on the Purdue University Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy Advisory Council and is a member of the Charleston Symposium Advisory Board.

Additional affiliations include: Friends of the Blair House, Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Society of Architectural Historians; The Decorative Arts Trust; Preservation Society of Charleston; Massachusetts Historical Society; Sigma Chi Fraternity: the Metropolitan Club of Washington, DC; the Arts Club of Washington, DC; and National Presbyterian Church.

Stewart studied history at the University of Alabama and resides in Arlington, Virginia and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.