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Spring 2008

Celebrating James Hoban: Irish-American Builder of the White House

“Building the White House was the greatest event in Hoban’s life.  He built it, returned to build it after the British burned it, then returned twice again to give it the columned porticoes, north and south, that we know so well."

William Seale, Editor, White House History


Winter 2007

White House History Visits President Eisenhower’s White House


His friendly grin notwithstanding, Eisenhower’s was a commanding presence.  One always hesitated whether to address him as “general” or “Mr. President,” even though he was always somehow “Ike” to his admiring public.

William Seale, Editor


Fall 2007

WHITE HOUSE HISTORY Serves Up a Full Plate of Cooks and Cooking for the Presidents

One of the most important, but unknown adjuncts of presidential life, is the kitchen. White House kitchens, fired up first in November 1800, still cook and issue number 20 of White House History, assembles experts on cooking and White House appetites to tell the story of White House cooking.



  Summer 2007

THE LIVING WHITE HOUSE

Lady Bird Johnson inspired the original “The Living White House” in 1966. Every First Lady since has generously assisted with updating each issue.  Laura Bush continues the tradition and welcomes readers to learn more about the Peoples House

“The White House has witnessed weddings and births, wars and celebrations, and important milestones in the lives of some of our nation’s most remarkable men and women.  Here, President Lincoln planned how he would preserve our Union.  President Nixon delighted in the union of his family and President Eisenhower’s.  From the Diplomatic Reception Room, President Franklin Roosevelt broadcast his historic Fireside Chats.  President Theodore Roosevelt’s children amused White House staff with their games and exotic pets.”

Laura Bush


Spring 2007

WHITE HOUSE PETS: Ambassadors-at-Large

Animals – whether pampered household pets, working livestock, birds, squirrels, or strays – have long been a major part of life at the White House. A new exhibit, White House Pets, organized by the White House Historical Association and the White House Curator’s Office in cooperation with the National Park Service looks at the many ways in which these creatures have been part of the history of the White House.  The exhibit will be on display from June 21, 2007, through March 9,2008 at the White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., open daily 7:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., and free to the public.




Spring 2007

FDR @ 125: EXHIBIT OBSERVES ROOSEVELT ANNIVERSARY


“Interest in Franklin Roosevelt’s contributions to national and international affairs continues to grow.  This exhibit is designed to interest and engage both the members of the ‘greatest generation,’ who remember FDR, and new generations who are inspired by his leadership,” remarked Dr. Cynthia Koch, director of the Roosevelt Library.



Winter 2006

WHITE HOUSE HISTORY: "PRESIDENTIAL HORSES," The Uncomplaining Public Servant

Issue 19 of White House History focuses on horses and the White House.  Beginning with George Washington, many presidents have enjoyed the impressive beauty and skills of these uncomplaining public servants. During the nineteenth century the presidents, and their families and staff depended on horses for transportation, communication and enjoyment. Even after the automobile supplanted the horse in everyday life, many first families continued to enjoy equestrian activities.



Fall 2006

2006 Christmas Ornament Celebrates the Tiffany White House of Chester Arthur

“Like all great houses, the White House reflected the tastes and interests of its occupants.  Arthur’s luxurious style was exemplified in Tiffany’s showpiece … a unique large opalescent glass screen encrusted with glass jewels. It was the first thing visitors saw as they entered the house.” . . .

Neil W. Horstman, president, White House Historical Association



Summer 2006

AWAY FROM THE GLARE: PRESIDENTIAL RETREATS


Living in the White House is a given for presidents, but where they relax is their own choice.  Whether they retreat to seaside cottages or western ranches, a trout stream or a golf course, vacationing presidents find that the pursuit of leisure can clear the mind, rest the body and lend a touch of humanity to a politician’s public image. . . but the job and history follow all of them.



Summer 2006

Two New Books Chronicle Presidents and First Ladies of the United States


The new editions of The Presidents of the United States and The First Ladies of the United States contain updated biographies and color reproductions of the official portraits of the men and women who served as chief executives and first ladies.  These editions are the first printing of the books to utilize digital files of the portraits, which have been created and color corrected in a six-year project with the assistance of the White House Curator’s Office.



Spring 2006

Thomas Jefferson’s White House


“A president’s household is always interesting, and not any less that one of contrast where Jefferson moved about in tatty clothes and worn overslippers, while his servants were outfitted richly in silver lace and guests were served on fine silver and china., what was usually acclaimed as the best food and wine that could be found in the young capital.” …..  William Seale, editor, White House History



Spring 2006

The White House Remembered, Volume 1


The White House has been the home and office to the President of the United States for more than 200 years.  The late Hugh Sidey had covered the last ten of the forty-one men who have lived and worked there, many of whom have shared their feelings and memories about the house itself with him.  He gathered the recollections of Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan in the first volume of The White House Remembered.



Spring 2006

The People’s President, Man, Myth and the Media: A new documentary video


A Look at the Historic Role Hollywood Film and Television Play in Shaping America’s Views of the Presidency.


America’s perception of the presidency is often driven by image.  In the People’s President, Academy-Award winning director and producer Chuck Workman weaves together 130 clips from film, television, newsreels and press coverage over the years. Using presidential caricatures, cartoons, and souvenirs, the one-hour documentary explores the traits we treasure in our leaders and the danger of idealizing or demonizing the president at the expense of understanding the daily grind of governance.





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