The White House 1600 Sessions

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 that is both a museum and symbol of American democracy, as well as an office and a family home? Stewart D. McLaurin interviews former White House Curator William Allman about his f...

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 for the President, First Lady and their family? Stewart D. McLaurin interviews former White House Social Secretaries Ann Stock and Amy Zantzinger for a behind-the-scenes look at plan...

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 major twentieth century renovations. Stewart D. McLaurin interviews author William Seale about his new book, "A White House of Stone," which tells the story of the original constructio...

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 England - but its restoration during James Monroe's administration demonstrated a high point of our cultural connections to France. For the 200 th anniversary of Monroe's moving back into the White House, Stewart McLaurin interviews White Historical Associ...

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 the famous White House Easter Egg Roll - date back to the 19th Century, while others are more recent additions. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jim McDaniel, former Director of the White House Li...

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 wasn't always tradition to commission a portrait for the president, as it is today. Each one comes with a unique story, from the symbolism in the portrait to the artist who painted 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 closed doors at the White House when you have just a few frantic hours to prepare for a new First Family? From the private residence and West Wing to the public State Rooms, what changes and what stays the same when a new President enters 1600 Pennsy...

The White House Historical Association presents The 1600 Sessions, a podcast that explores the history, untold stories and personal accounts of America's most iconic residence and office – The White House.