117. America’s 250th: American Artists in the Royal Collection (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
While presidential portraits are the most notable pieces in the White House Collection of fine and decorative arts, there are more than 65,000 works in the museum-accredited collection. This grew over time with items such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, and furniture, having either been commissioned, donated, or acquired for use at the White House. The role of the White House Curator was established during the Kennedy presidency and the White House Historical Association has worked closely with them for decades to preserve and create a collection of mostly American-made art with...
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117. America’s 250th: American Artists in the Royal Collection
The White House 1600 Sessions
While presidential portraits are the most notable pieces in the White House Collection of fine and decorative arts, there are more than 65,000 works in the museum-accredited collection. This grew over time with items such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, and furniture, having either been commissioned, donated, or acquired for use at the White House. The role of the White House Curator was established during the Kennedy presidency and the White House Historical Association has worked closely with them for decades to preserve and create a collection of mostly American-made art with...
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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...
info_outlineThere are many fun, wonderful opportunities to learn about White House history all across the country. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, takes a road trip to the outskirts of Williamsburg, Virginia, to see what has become a social media hotspot: the Presidents Heads. Situated within a recycling facility on private property is a collection of 42 massive, decaying statues featuring the likenesses of U.S. presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush. Each statue is made of concrete and steel, averaging 15 feet in height, and weighing approximately 1.5 tons. They were rescued from a bankrupt outdoor museum called Presidents Park. When the park closed over a decade ago, the land was sold and the statues were set to be destroyed. Local businessman Howard Hankins was hired to do the job but he just couldn’t bring himself to destroy the statues, so he transported them about 11 miles down the road to his property. Howard has allowed history buffs and photographers John Plashal and Fred Schneider to host organized tours several times a year where people can buy tickets to visit the statues (which cannot be seen from the road, so showing up unannounced is discouraged and considered trespassing). Stewart met John and Fred on one of their tours, and also encountered a few excited visitors. Come along for a ride and learn more about this remarkable piece of Americana.