The White House 1600 Sessions

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56 Freemasons and the White House Apr 28, 2021

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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 members including Irish architect James Hoban and many presidents from George Washington to Gerald Ford. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jason Van Dyke, Director of Communications of the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC, and Chris Ruli, the DC Grand Lodge's Historian & Librarian, about Freemasonry and the White House.

55 James Hoban, Designer and Builder of the White House Mar 18, 2021

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James Hoban came from humble beginnings as a young carpenter and architect in Ireland, and went on to collaborate with George Washington on the design and construction of one of the most iconic buildings in the world. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews three contributors to the Association's new book, "James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House" - Dr. Christopher Moran, Merlo Kelly and Andrew McCarthy - about the architecture that inspired Hoban's most famous work.

54 The First White House Guidebook: Mrs. Kennedy, National Geographic, and the White House Historical Association Mar 11, 2021

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The first White House guidebook was published in 1962 as collaboration between First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, the new White House Historical Association, and the National Geographic Society. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to National Geographic Society's Senior Director of Library and Archives Renee Braden, who shares an oral history about the first guidebook, recorded with one of the people who was instrumental in its creation, Bob Breeden.

53 Conversations from White House History Happy Hour Jan 29, 2021

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In this first episode of 2021, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin introduces the Association's popular virtual program History Happy Hour, and shares conversations with historians, first family members, and other presidential staff about the lives of presidents and first ladies throughout American history.

52 A Tour of White House History with Michael Beschloss Dec 17, 2020

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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 Association's work over the past 60 years to support conservation, preservation, and acquisitions and to make the White House accessible and relatable to Americans today.

51 St. John's, the Church of the Presidents Nov 25, 2020

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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 President Stewart D. McLaurin interviews the Rector of St. John's Church, Rev. Rob Fisher, about the many historic ties that it shares with the White House, and how its congregation approaches both its history and its contemporary mission.

50 Special Episode: Reflections on the First 49 Episodes Nov 12, 2020

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For the past four years, the monthly 1600 Sessions podcast has told the story of the White House through conversations with historians and eyewitnesses to the history at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In this 50th episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin reflects back on some of his favorite moments from the first 49 episodes.

49 Wine and the White House Oct 05, 2020

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Wine has a long and important history in the White House, playing a unique role in entertaining, public ceremonies, and even global diplomacy. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin interviews Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., about his new book published with the Association, "Wine and the White House: A History," providing a comprehensive look at each president's experiences with wine.

48 White House Transitions Sep 25, 2020

Show notes

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 McLaurin interviews Dr. Martha Kumar, Director or the White House Transition Project, and Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and former Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, about the history and evolution of presidential transitions.

47 The Decorator-In-Chief Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

Every administration brings their own personality to the White House, particularly when it comes to the look and feel of the upstairs family quarters. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Michael S. Smith, the "Decorator-in-Chief" for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, about his new book, "Designing History, the Extraordinary Art and Style of the Obama White House."

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