121. History, Foyt Racing and America’s 250th
The White House 1600 Sessions
Start your engines for a special episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, recorded at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin sits down with A.J. Foyt Racing team principal Larry Foyt and IndyCar star Santino Ferrucci to explore the history, excitement, and distinctly American spirit of motor racing. They discuss A.J. Foyt’s extraordinary legacy, Santino’s journey from racing go-karts at five years old to becoming Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, and what makes the speedway one of the most iconic venues in American...
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120. Inside the Hidden World of Presidential Advance
The White House 1600 Sessions
What does it really take to make a presidential event look effortless? In this fascinating episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin sits down with Jean Becker and Tom Collamore, authors of Don’t Tell the President, to reveal the hidden world of White House advance teams - the people responsible for sweating the details of every presidential appearance, foreign trip, summit, speech, and state visit. From Ronald Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech and Bill...
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119. History of the Resolute Desk (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
The Resolute Desk is arguably the most famous desk in the world. It is certainly the most iconic of the six desks that have been used by sitting presidents in the Oval Office. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, traveled to England in order to learn more about the history of the desk which was gifted in 1880 to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom as a sign of goodwill between the two nations. Though it was used throughout the White House since President Hayes, the desk was first used in the Oval Office by President John F....
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119. History of the Resolute Desk
The White House 1600 Sessions
The Resolute Desk is arguably the most famous desk in the world. It is certainly the most iconic of the six desks that have been used by sitting presidents in the Oval Office. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, traveled to England in order to learn more about the history of the desk which was gifted in 1880 to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom as a sign of goodwill between the two nations. Though it was used throughout the White House since President Hayes, the desk was first used in the Oval Office by President John F....
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118. The White House and the 2026 Faith, Freedom, and Democracy Symposium (VIDEO)
The White House 1600 Sessions
In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the Association’s 2026 Faith, Freedom, and Democracy Symposium, held in partnership with Westminster Abbey Institute. Through commentary and highlights from the day’s conversations, Stewart explores how faith shaped the early American republic, the founding of Washington, D.C., and the presidency itself. The Symposium brought together scholars, clergy, historians, and diplomats to examine the relationship between faith and public life, religious liberty in...
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118. The White House and the 2026 Faith, Freedom, and Democracy Symposium
The White House 1600 Sessions
In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects on the Association’s 2026 Faith, Freedom, and Democracy Symposium, held in partnership with Westminster Abbey Institute. Through commentary and highlights from the day’s conversations, Stewart explores how faith shaped the early American republic, the founding of Washington, D.C., and the presidency itself. The Symposium brought together scholars, clergy, historians, and diplomats to examine the relationship between faith and public life, religious liberty in...
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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...
info_outlineGary 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 Chief Usher in 1986 he took on a job that transcended politics. The Chief Usher oversees the day to day operations of the Executive Mansion and grounds, managing the Residence staff and a space that is uniquely many things: a living museum, a ceremonial and working space, as well as a home. In this episode, Gary recounts the joys and challenges of elegant State Dinners and decorating for the holidays, and reflects on solemn moments such as the assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan and the events of September 11th, 2001. Foremost in his mind was making sure the presidents and first families were comfortable and afforded privacy during what were often stressful times. When he retired in 2007 after 21 years as Chief Usher, Gary received the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service from President George W. Bush. Remarkably, Gary continues to serve by directing the proceeds from his book to the mission of the White House Historical Association: to share the history of the White House, the People's House.
White House Memories 1970 - 2017: Recollections of the Longest Serving Chief Usher by Gary J. Walters, published by the White House Historical Association, will be released at the Association’s Annual Holiday Book Festival on December 5, 2025. You can order a copy at shop.whitehousehistory.org.