121. History, Foyt Racing and America’s 250th
Release Date: 08/13/2026
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_outlineStart 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 sport.
Racing near the White House is not entirely new. In the early days of
the nation, horse racing was one of America’s most popular sports, and
Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both avid
followers. The Washington Jockey Club even established a racecourse
just blocks from the White House, with part of the course running
across Pennsylvania Avenue and through what is now Lafayette Park.
Now, more than two centuries later, racing returns to the president’s
neighborhood. The conversation looks ahead to a remarkable moment in
American racing history: the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington,
D.C., bringing IndyCar racing to the streets of the nation’s capital
as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.
They also pay tribute to the late Marlyne Sexton, a generous supporter
of both A.J. Foyt Racing and the White House Historical Association,
whose friendship and vision brought these two historic institutions
together.
From the roar of 350,000 fans at Indianapolis to the prospect of
racing in the shadow of the White House, this episode celebrates
speed, perseverance, patriotism, and the enduring American pursuit of
the next frontier.