116. The American Semiquincentennial and the Work of the White House Historical Association (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
With just 100 days until July 4, 2026, the United States is approaching a historic milestone: the American Semiquincentennial. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the significance of the nation’s 250th anniversary and the work of the White House Historical Association to preserve, protect, and share the history of the People’s House. Stewart traces the origins of the Executive Mansion, beginning in 1792 when President George Washington selected Irish-born architect James Hoban to design what was then...
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116. The American Semiquincentennial and the Work of the White House Historical Association
The White House 1600 Sessions
With just 100 days until July 4, 2026, the United States is approaching a historic milestone: the American Semiquincentennial. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the significance of the nation’s 250th anniversary and the work of the White House Historical Association to preserve, protect, and share the history of the People’s House. Stewart traces the origins of the Executive Mansion, beginning in 1792 when President George Washington selected Irish-born architect James Hoban to design what was then...
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115. Driving “The Beast” and the History of Presidential Vehicles (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
U.S. Presidents are transported in some of the safest, most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin visited the United States Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland to get a very special look at “The Beast,” the affectionate nickname given by the press when the first generation of General Motors’ custom-built Cadillac presidential limousines debuted in 2001. The presidential limousine has come a long way since 1909 when Congress appropriated funds for President William Howard Taft to...
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115. Driving “The Beast” and the History of Presidential Vehicles
The White House 1600 Sessions
U.S. Presidents are transported in some of the safest, most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin visited the United States Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland to get a very special look at “The Beast,” the affectionate nickname given by the press when the first generation of General Motors’ custom-built Cadillac presidential limousines debuted in 2001. The presidential limousine has come a long way since 1909 when Congress appropriated funds for President William Howard Taft to...
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114. Making the Official White House Christmas Ornament (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
For over forty years, the White House Historical Association has partnered with Beacon Design, a division of the ChemArt Company, to create the Official White House Christmas Ornament. The program was started in 1981 during the first term of the Reagan presidency when First Lady Nancy Reagan threw her support behind the idea. A new design has debuted annually with each ornament honoring a president’s time in the White House, an anniversary, or historical event. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association visited ChemArt to get a first-hand look at how the...
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114. Making the Official White House Christmas Ornament
The White House 1600 Sessions
For over forty years, the White House Historical Association has partnered with Beacon Design, a division of the ChemArt Company, to create the Official White House Christmas Ornament. The program was started in 1981 during the first term of the Reagan presidency when First Lady Nancy Reagan threw her support behind the idea. A new design has debuted annually with each ornament honoring a president’s time in the White House, an anniversary, or historical event. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association visited ChemArt to get a first-hand look at how the...
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113. White House History and the Waldorf Astoria New York (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
There are few places outside of the White House that are as deeply connected to the American Presidency as the Waldorf Astoria New York. For almost a century, this luxury hotel has welcomed every U.S. President since Herbert Hoover through its elegant Art Deco doors on Park Avenue. After leaving office, President Hoover even lived in the Waldorf Astoria Residence for more than three decades before his passing at the age of 90. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin was joined in the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria Residences New York by guests David Freeland, author of...
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113. White House History and the Waldorf Astoria New York
The White House 1600 Sessions
There are few places outside of the White House that are as deeply connected to the American Presidency as the Waldorf Astoria New York. For almost a century, this luxury hotel has welcomed every U.S. President since Herbert Hoover through its elegant Art Deco doors on Park Avenue. After leaving office, President Hoover even lived in the Waldorf Astoria Residence for more than three decades before his passing at the age of 90. White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin was joined in the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria Residences New York by guests David Freeland, author of...
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112. The White House Chief Usher
The White House 1600 Sessions
Gary J. Walters was an integral part of White House history during a 37 year career in which he served seven presidents and their families. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House HIstorical Association, sat down with Gary to recount some of the moments he witnessed which are also captured in the new book White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher. Gary started his tenure at the White House during the Nixon presidency as an Executive Protective Service officer. In 1976 he became an assistant usher under President Gerald Ford. When Gary was named...
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112. The White House Chief Usher (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
Gary J. Walters was an integral part of White House history during a 37 year career in which he served seven presidents and their families. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House HIstorical Association, sat down with Gary to recount some of the moments he witnessed which are also captured in the new book White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher. Gary started his tenure at the White House during the Nixon presidency as an Executive Protective Service officer. In 1976 he became an assistant usher under President Gerald Ford. When Gary was named...
info_outlineCome set sail and join us for a special tour of Honey Fitz, a presidential yacht. For almost a century, from 1880 to 1977, every president had access to a yacht. They were used as tools of diplomacy and hospitality, and quite often, as a means of escape and relaxation. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, traveled to Jupiter, Florida to see one of these yachts which is now privately owned by businessman Charles Modica. Stewart speaks with Charles as well as Captains Gregory Albritton and Katelyn Kiefer, who oversaw the incredible restoration. First built in 1931 and named Lenore, the vessel was requisitioned for use during World War II and used for patrol duty by the U.S. Coast Guard. Then she was used by five presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Richard Nixon, and had a different name under each president. President Eisenhower named her Barbara Anne after his granddaughter, and President Kennedy christened the yacht in honor of his maternal grandfather, John Francis Fitzgerald, whose nickname, of course, was Honey Fitz. After being decommissioned and sold to a private owner in 1971, the yacht passed through several different hands and underwent modifications. Now, Honey Fitz has been lovingly brought back to life to resemble the time it was used by President Kennedy and his family. They were meticulous in replicating details, from cushions designed from sketches by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, to the bell on the bow of the boat. Follow along to learn more about floating White House history.
The White House Historical Association publication Away from the White House: Presidential Escapes, Retreats, and Vacations by Lawrence Knutson presents a lively and interesting slice of the presidency that most of us know little about: How the president relaxes away from the White House. You can purchase a copy here.