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The Origin of the President's Cabinet

Learn about George Washington's creation of the cabinet, an advisory group for the President of the United States of America, and the cabinet's place in White House history. Featuring Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, historian at the White House Historical Association and author of The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution (available April 2020).

Working at the White House

Learn about what it is like to work at the White House from Anita McBride, former Chief of Staff for First Lady Laura Bush.

White House History with Ann Compton: Patricia Nixon's 50th Anniversary as First Lady

The White House Historical Association's third lecture in our series "White House History with Ann Compton" featured a panel of speakers, including Betty Monkman, former White House Curator, and Patricia Matson, assistant press secretary for Mrs. Nixon, Anita McBride, Director of the First Lady Initiative at American University and former assistant to President George W. Bush and chief of staff

Eisenhower Library Lunch & Learn with White House Historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky

White House Historical Association Historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky visited the Eisenhower Presidential Library to present at their monthly Lunch & Learn series. She discussed President Dwight Eisenhower’s time in the White House, his legacy, and his support for innovation and technology, which is featured in this year’s Official 2019 White House Christmas Ornament. Video Courtesy of Dwight D. Eisenhower Pres

The 1600 Sessions: First Lady Barbara Bush

First Lady Barbara Bush was admired for her authenticity, as well as her advocacy on issues such as preserving the White House, family literacy, and diplomatic relations during the closing days of the Cold War. In this episode of The 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks with USA Today Bureau Chief Susan Page about Barbara Bush’s le

The 1600 Sessions: Back to Basics - White House History with David Rubenstein

In this special episode of The 1600 Sessions, we turn the tables on our podcast’s usual format. Financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein takes his turn asking more than 50 questions on White House history to White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin. They cover all the basics as well as some of the fun facts you probably didn't know, like which pr

A Tour of the White House: The Second Floor

When John Adams first occupied the President's House in 1800, the second floor was generally reserved for private and family use. President Adams kept a small office adjacent to his bedroom on the southwest corner of the house, but other early presidents chose to work in rooms on the state floor. About 1825, the two rooms that we now call the Lincoln

A Tour of the White House: The Red Room

Benjamin H. Latrobe's 1803 drawing of the State Floor indicates that the Red Room served as "the President's Antichamber" for the Cabinet Room and President's Library next door. The Red Room traditionally has served as a parlor or sitting room; recent Presidents have had small dinner parties here.