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_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.