A Continuing Partnership with the Washington Nationals
White House history and American baseball history have been intertwined for more than a century, creating a rich legacy of championship celebrations, presidential fans, and first pitches.
The White House Historical Association, committed to bringing White House history to life through its educational mission and partnerships, recognized a tremendous opportunity to bring this shared history to life through the story of President Herbert Hoover.
Hoover became the nation’s number one baseball fan in 1929, throwing out the traditional first pitch at Griffith Stadium on all four Washington Senators’ opening days while he resided at the White House. He also attended the fifth and final game of 1929 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Athletics.
In partnership with the Washington Nationals, the Association is continuing to reach a new audience with its mission through a fun, educational collaboration that elevates White House history; increases awareness of the Association’s signature fundraising tool, the Official White House Christmas Ornament; and engages students across the city in a new exciting education program.
Starting in 2015 and continuing over the next two years, the two organizations are creating an exciting experience for fans in Nationals Park and across the Washington, D.C. region.
Racing Herbie
Nearly 10 feet tall and a formidable racer, Racing Herbie joined the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents line-up on April 10, 2016, as new favorite in the popular mid-game race. Building on the presidential history already a part of the racing team with Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, and Taft, the new Visiting President adds visibility and connectivity to the partnership around Hoover and his ties to the Washington team.
White House History Challenge
Fans are able to test their White House history knowledge at each home game during a live fifth-inning quiz created by Association historians and featuring a range of trivia questions from first pets to significant White House events. Fans at home can play along through the Association’s Twitter handle @WhiteHouseHstry. In-game winners are rewarded with their own Official White House Christmas Ornament.
In Stadium Promotion
Visitors to the Nationals team store are able to purchase the Official White House Christmas Ornament. Each year, the Association sequentially honors a president or significant White House anniversary with the Official White House Christmas Ornament. 2016 ornament commemorates the 1929 Christmas Eve fire in the West Wing during President Hoover's first winter in office.
Education Program
The White House Historical Association and the Washington Nationals are pleased to bring back White House at Bat: A Presidential History Challenge following the success of its first year. This program, open to high school students in Washington, D.C., and metro-area school districts in Virginia and Maryland, examines the powers of the president and focuses on decision-making in the White House. Aligned with Common Core and state learning standards, it offers a creative way to research and interpret White House history with the power of the Racing Presidents line-up.
During the 2016-2017 school year, students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit a project entry consisting of a storyboard for a 50-second video about a decision made by one of the Racing Presidents, an accompanying essay, and an annotated bibliography. Five winning projects, one for each of the Racing Presidents, will be chosen to be produced for the big screen by a professional videographer and shown at a major league baseball game at Nationals Park. Winners will also be awarded a cash prize of $1000! Click here for more information about the competition.
