The White House 1600 Sessions

Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, welcomed respected author and historian Richard Norton Smith to a special town hall gathering to discuss his latest book “An Ordinary Man: The …

Philanthropist, stylemaker, and renowned gardener Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon was not formally trained as a horticulturist or landscape designer. …

Richard Haass has been the President of the Council on Foreign Relations for almost twenty years. In that role as part of an independent, nonpartisan …

Former Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton has written a new memoir called “At the Helm: My Journey with Family, Faith, and Friends to Calm the Storms of Life.” Dalton is a graduate of the United States Naval …

Britain and the U.S. have long had what Prime Minister Winston Churchill called a “special relationship.” From adversaries to allies, the …

The American experiment has long held the curiosity of people around the world, especially for Iain Dale, an award-winning British author, and radio and podcast host, who has edited a new book of essays called “The …

In 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn in for the first of his four terms as president of the United States. It was in the depth of the Great Depression with a second world war on the horizon, and yet the man …

From hot dogs to haute cuisine, U.S. Presidents have communicated important messages through food. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, discusses dining diplomacy with bestselling …

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was the driving force behind a brilliant act of cultural diplomacy: bringing Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa…

When First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy took on the herculean task of restoring the interior of the White House, she appointed renowned collector Henry …

David Rubenstein is co-founder and co-chair of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm based in Washington, DC. He is the host of several interview programs and podcasts, as well as a best-selling author. …

White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin hosted a town hall featuring Jon Meacham at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Meacham, a …

Following in the footsteps of the original White House designer and builder, James Hoban, in this episode of the White House 1600 Sessions we hear …

Over 200 years ago, James Hoban left Ireland for America to pursue his dream of becoming an architect. Selected by President George Washington to …

The White House Historical Association commissions official portraits of the president and first lady. As is the custom, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama picked their portrait artists before leaving …

Bartlett Sher is a Tony Award-winning director who has brought thoughtful, powerful productions to theaters, opera houses, and film. He is the …

The first White House guidebook was published in 1962 as a collaboration between First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, the new White House Historical …

Charleston holds hints and clues to the formative years of the ambitious young Irishman James Hoban and his dream to make his mark in the United …

Mark K. Updegrove shares new historical perspectives on the Kennedy presidency from his recent book, Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency. The author, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, and White House …

From reflections to a historical lightning round, Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, catches up with the Association's Next-Gen Leaders at the recent Presidential Sites Summit in …

A donation from the Recording Industry Association of America to the Nixon White House, the White House Recording Library was comprised of 2,000 LPs, …

There is a long history of Scottish influence on the White House, dating back to the Scottish stonemasons that contributed to the construction of the Executive Mansion. Perhaps one of the most unique Scottish …

Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has created the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Collecting and gifting these unique …

Since November 3, 1961, the White House Historical Association has served as the private partner to the White House to enrich, enhance, and promote the history of the Executive Mansion. The Association hosted a gala at …

Thousands of people traverse historic Lafayette Park every day to get a glimpse of the White House. The park, right in the heart of the President’s Neighborhood, has a long and storied history that is largely unknown to …

The White House is a ceremonial stage upon which our nation welcomes our most important visitors, including foreign heads of state. These State Visits often begin with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White …

On February 23, 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy launched the most historic and celebrated redesign of the White House in its history. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews …

Although visitors from around the world have the opportunity to visit the White House every year, few kids have the opportunity to have the experience of their parents working in the White House. Children of White House …

Nancy Reagan was an iconic First Lady who helped shape the legacy of one of the most consequential presidencies of the 20th century. She was known for the tremendous grace, intelligence, and style that she brought to …

Since the laying of the cornerstone in 1792, Freemasons have played an important role in the construction and the history of the White House, with …

James Hoban came from humble beginnings as a young carpenter and architect in Ireland, and went on to collaborate with George Washington on the …

The first White House guidebook was published in 1962 as collaboration between First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, the new White House Historical …

In this first episode of 2021, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin introduces the Association’s popular virtual program …

In this final episode of 2020, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin has a conversation with presidential historian Michael Beschloss. They discuss the 220 years of White House history and the …

Since the James Madison presidency, St. John’s Church has been an important part of the life of Lafayette Square and of the nation at large. In this special Thanksgiving episode, White House Historical Association …

For the past four years, the monthly 1600 Sessions podcast has told the story of the White House through conversations with historians and …

Wine has a long and important history in the White House, playing a unique role in entertaining, public ceremonies, and even global diplomacy. In …

The transfer of power from one administration to the next is a hallmark of American democracy, but it hasn’t always been an orderly experience. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart …

Every administration brings their own personality to the White House, particularly when it comes to the look and feel of the upstairs family …

Each year, the National History Day Contest encourages more than half a million students around the world to conduct historical research on a topic of their choice. In this episode, White House Historical Association …

When you’re cooking for the president and first family, your meals and recipes become a part of history. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Matthew Wendel about his …

This year marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the culmination of the suffragists' fight to secure the right to vote for women. In this …

Every year, the White House Fellows program gives young, talented Americans the opportunity to work in the White House alongside White House staff, cabinet members and senior officials. In this episode, White House …

In this special episode of The 1600 Sessions, financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin to discuss the work of the Association during the …

George Washington might not have become the Founding Father we know today if not for the influence of his mother. For Mother’s Day, Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Craig Shirley, author of “Mary Ball …

Throughout our history, presidents have faced crises that have gripped both the nation and the world. In this episode, Association President Stewart …

The White House is a symbol of freedom and democracy, but from its very conception it had a paradoxical relationship with the institution of slavery. …

The institution of slavery and the stories of enslaved people have always been a part of the fabric of White House history. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin introduces a …

After President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wanted her husband to be remembered through a national cultural center …

The White House is known for its creative confections and desserts, particularly during the holiday season. White House Historical Association …

From diplomatic dinners to holiday gatherings, the White House has always played a central role in the nation’s official entertainment. White House …

For more than 60 years, the President of the United States has flown in a helicopter for domestic and international travel. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin speaks to two former Marine One …

George Washington never lived in the White House, but played a major role in its design, as well as the design of the capital city that bears his …

When heads of state visit the United States and the White House, the United States Chief of Protocol is on point and the official President’s guest …

In this episode, we turn the tables on the podcast’s usual format. Financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin, posing more than fifty questions …

Camp David has provided presidents and their families with a recreational retreat from the White House, as well as a place for presidential diplomacy since the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. White House …

First Lady Barbara Bush was admired for her authenticity, as well as her advocacy on issues such as preserving the White House, family literacy, and …

For more than two hundred years, Lafayette Square has been home to a wide variety of historical figures, from diplomats and naval heroes to future presidents and even former First Ladies. White House Historical …

The White House includes 18 acres of historic grounds and gardens that have been cultivated for more than two hundred years by presidents and their …

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Patricia Nixon entering the White House as First Lady. Through hard work and a personal touch, she had a …

President Eisenhower’s White House helped set the tone for an era of peace, economic prosperity, and technological advancement in America. For this …

Military Social Aides perform a vital role for White House events, assisting the Social Secretary and representing the President and First Lady. …

Throughout its history, the White House has hosted not only important ceremonies of state, but also more personal, family ceremonies, including weddings. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin …

Fearless leaders have walked the halls of White House for centuries. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and a member of the …

The Bellangé furniture, originally purchased by James Monroe, has adorned the Blue Room in the White House for decades. Thanks to ongoing efforts by the Curator’s Office, the furniture is now being restored as close as …

The White House Historical Association is making history come alive in new and interesting ways. Stewart McLaurin hosts a roundtable discussion with Monica Logothetis, founder of DreamWakers; Janet Tran with the Ronald …

The National Archives has been collecting records of the United States since 1934. It holds billions of documents, photographs, and objects that …

Baseball has been known as our national pastime and tied to the presidency as far back as the Lincoln administration. In commemoration of the 2018 …

For two hundred years, Decatur House has stood as a near neighbor to the White House across Lafayette Square. Stewart McLaurin talks to Katherine Malone-France of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and …

In 1792, Irish immigrant James Hoban won a contest to design the White House and created an enduring symbol for America and the world. Stewart …

The history of the White House appears in unexpected places, from trivia questions at Major League Baseball games to archival photos and a tour of the White House on your smartphone. Stewart McLaurin hosts a roundtable …

In 1963, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy helped arrange one of the most daring art exhibits in American history, bringing Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting from Paris to Washington, DC, and New York City. …

No recent president has had more impact on the White House than Harry S. Truman, who both modernized the building and preserved it for future generations. Stewart McLaurin talks with President Truman’s grandson, Clifton …

Death comes to every home, including the White House. From the loss of cherished family members to presidential funerals, there are many established White House traditions surrounding grief. Stewart McLaurin explores …

From your family to the First Family, the winter holidays are a special time of year. Stewart McLaurin explores the history behind Christmas …

From entertainment to diplomacy, music has played an important role in White House history. Stewart McLaurin talks to Colonel Jason Fettig, Director …

The White House Historical Association has been preserving and sharing White House history since its founding by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. Stewart McLaurin interviews two people who were there from the …

The White House has always shaped the lives of the Presidents and First Families who have lived there, and reflected the mood and times of the country at large. Stewart McLaurin talks to presidential historian Michael …

Who takes care of the thousands of historic artifacts in the White House, cataloguing and preserving everything from presidential portraits to presidential china? And how does that person balance the needs of a building …

How do you plan for a State Dinner with hundreds of guests, a private meal with a King and Queen or an historic peace treaty signing? What does it take to host several public events each day, as well as private events …

The White House has seen many physical changes throughout its more than 200 years of history. But its original stone walls, taken from a quarry in Aquia, Virginia, have always endured, surviving the fires of war and …

The burning of the White House by the British in 1814 during James Madison’s presidency represented a low point in our political relations with …

Spring is a special time in our nation’s capital, when cherry blossoms bloom and the White House garden comes alive. Some spring traditions - like …

Portrait artists have captured the images and personalities of our Presidents and First Ladies throughout history, providing a record of their time in office and highlighting their accomplishments and leadership. It …

Americans are familiar with the ceremonies of Inauguration Day, when a new President takes the oath of office at the Capitol. But what happens behind …

The White House Historical Association presents The 1600 Sessions, a podcast that explores the history, untold stories and personal accounts of …