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Podcasts
The 1600 SessionsThe 1600 Sessions is a podcast hosted by White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin, that explores the history, untold stories, and personal accounts of America’s most iconic residence and office – The White House. Drawing on his own experiences, relationships, and knowledge he provides listeners with a front row seat to history at the White House. Through these conv
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Articles & Publications
Since joining the White House Historical Association in 2014, Stewart McLaurin has had been published a number of times. Topics range from the construction of the White House, First Lady history, the Easter Egg Roll, and others related to White House History. See below for a selected list of Stewart’s articles and publications. External Publications USA Today Opinion Columns When yo
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The Decorative Arts in the White House Symposium Scholarly Contributors
James Archer AbbottJames Archer Abbott currently serves as the Executive Director of the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes, Delaware. A graduate of Vassar College and the State University of New York/FIT, he has previously served as a museum director and/or curator for Johns Hopkins University’s Evergreen Museum & Library, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Boscobel House and Ga
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Our Partnership with the Washington Nationals
White House history and American baseball history have been intertwined for more than a century, creating a rich legacy of presidential fans, championship celebrations, and more than a few first pitches. During a three-year partnership with the Washington Nationals, the Association was able to reach a new audience with our mission through a fun, educational collaboration that elevates White House
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The Life and Presidency Herbert Hoover
The 2016 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of the thirty-first president of the United States Herbert Hoover, who served from 1929 to 1933. The ornament is inspired by the fire engines that responded to the 1929 Christmas Eve fire at the White House and the toy trucks presented to children by the Hoovers the following Christmas. Crafted from shiny brass plated with
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First Lady Nancy Reagan Remembered
The White House Historical Association joins the nation in its remembrance of First Lady Nancy Reagan and the tremendous grace, intelligence, and style she brought to her role as First Lady of the United States. As America's first lady, she lent her support to the Foster Grandparent Program, subject of her 1982 book, To Love A Child. She also concentrated on
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Easter Egg Roll Significant Dates
April 29, 1876 – President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation protecting the public turf and grounds of the U.S. Capitol; egg rolling was among the activities banned. April 2, 1877 – It rained on Easter Monday, so the new law did not have to be enforced. April 22, 1878 - The first annual White House Easter Egg Roll was held after President Rutherford B. Hayes agreed to open
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Slavery and the White House
Construction on the President’s House began in 1792. The decision to place the capital on land ceded by two slave states—Virginia and Maryland—ultimately influenced the acquisition of laborers to construct its public buildings. The District of Columbia commissioners, charged by Congress with building the new city under the direction of the president, initially planned to import workers from Europe
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Did Slaves Build the White House?
Construction on the President's House began in 1792 in Washington, D.C., a new capital situated in sparsely settled region far from a major population center. The decision to place the capital on land ceded by two pro-slavery states-Virginia and Maryland-ultimately influenced the acquisition of laborers to construct its public buildings. The D.C. commissioners, charged by Congress with building the
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2016 Winning Essay The Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship
Journalists, especially those covering the White House, have arguably the most important job in a functioning Democracy: holding public officials accountable and making any wrongdoing known. While the job descriptions for journalists may change to adapt to a growing industry, the responsibility to keep the public informed should stay the same. As Hugh Sidey said, the White House and the
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Italian State Dinners at the White House
January 14, 1964: State Dinner for Italian President Antonio Segni was hosted by President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Featured entertainment included Robert Merrill of the Metropolitan Opera and the New Christy Minstrels. President Segni and his wife were given a silver box, engraved with maps of both countries and a sentence from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (“Italy remains to all, the land of dreams an
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Joel Treese - In Memoriam (1960 - 2016)
The White House Historical Association is deeply saddened by the recent loss of our esteemed Senior Historian Joel Treese. His contributions to research projects and vast knowledge will be greatly missed.Joel’s years of work at the Association included contributing to research projects and historical content ranging from the East and West Wings to the Presidents and First Ladies, an