106. The Honey Fitz: A Presidential Yacht
The White House 1600 Sessions
Come 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...
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105. Remembering President Lincoln: 160th Anniversary
The White House 1600 Sessions
On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Lincoln departed the White House and arrived at Ford’s Theatre to see a production of Our American Cousin. After four long, tumultuous years, the end of the Civil War was in sight. President Lincoln was known for his love of attending live theater, and even though he arrived late that evening, the production came to a halt when the orchestra played “Hail to the Chief” and the audience took to its feet and cheered. Sadly, what was to be an evening of celebration and respite turned into one of the most solemn moments in White...
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104. Painting White House History
The White House 1600 Sessions
There's an old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” By that count, artist Peter Waddell is a masterful storyteller. Beginning in 2004, the White House Historical Association commissioned the artist to create well-researched paintings to represent different periods from White House history that were not drawn, painted, or photographed definitively in their own times. The result is a collection of over a dozen pieces of artwork that capture lesser known moments of presidential life at the White House. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association,...
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103. The History of State Funerals
The White House 1600 Sessions
The State Funeral has come to be known as the traditional and ceremonial way to mourn a President of the United States. While throughout the nation’s history not every Commander in Chief has opted for such a tribute, in the modern era, it has become common practice. In fact, discussions about a president’s preferences as to how they will be honored after their death take place almost as soon as they take office. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sat down with two individuals who had a hand in the planning and performance of these national events:...
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102. Inauguration Day Preview
The White House 1600 Sessions
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sets the stage for what traditionally takes place on Inauguration Day, and previews the next season of The White House 1600 Sessions.
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101. The People’s House: A White House Experience
The White House 1600 Sessions
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy founded the White House Historical Association over 60 years ago, famously saying “The White House belongs to the American people.” The Association’s mission has been clear since day one: preserving, protecting, and providing public access to White House History. That mission continues through The People’s House: A White House Experience at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue - a block away from the White House - in Washington, D.C. In this episode, Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, describes how The People’s House evolved from...
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100. Cooking at the White House
The White House 1600 Sessions
The White House showcases the very best of American culinary arts, whether it's providing the president some much needed nourishment after a long day or using a meal as a diplomatic tool between two nations. White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford spent almost 30 years working in the White House kitchens before retiring in July 2024. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with Chef Comerford about growing up in the Philippines, falling in love with cooking, and becoming a U.S. citizen who never dreamed one day she would cook at the most famous...
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99. Queen Elizabeth II and America’s Presidents
The White House 1600 Sessions
Given how things started almost 250 years ago between the United States and King George III, the history of diplomacy and friendship between the White House and Queen Elizabeth II is quite remarkable. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, talked about this history with David Charter, the assistant editor (US) of The Times and author of Royal Audience: 70 years, 13 presidents--One Queen's Special Relationship with America. Queen Elizabeth II reigned over the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms for seven decades until her death in 2022 - the...
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98. Conversations on the American Presidency
The White House 1600 Sessions
In his latest book “The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency,” David Rubenstein, renowned financier, philanthropist, and host of PBS’s History with David Rubenstein, takes a fresh look at what it means to hold the office of President of the United States. It is a role that has been shaped and defined by only 45 individuals, and one that contains a great deal of history while also sparking a number of myths. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, talked with Rubenstein at the Association’s new immersive space at 1700...
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97. Making the Presidential Seal
The White House 1600 Sessions
From podium plaques and flags to the doors of the presidential limo and Air Force One, it is always present: fifty stars encircling an eagle whose talons hold bundles of olive branches and arrows, and around that circle of stars, a band with the words “Seal of the President of the United States.” If you’ve ever wondered where that design came from and how those symbols are made, join Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, on a special tour of The Institute of Heraldry at Fort Belvoir, a U.S. Army installation in Northern Virginia. The art of heraldry goes...
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.