The White House 1600 Sessions

Mar 11 2025 105 ep. 40 mins 833
The White House 1600 Sessions Podcast artwork

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.

  Society & Culture  History
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Painting White House History

Mar 11 2025 38 mins  
There's an old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” By that count, artist Peter Waddell is a masterful storyteller. Beginning in 2004, the White House Historical Association commissioned the artist to create well-researched paintings to represent different periods from White House history that were not drawn, painted, or photographed definitively in their own tim

103. The History of State Funerals

Feb 11 2025 54 mins  
The State Funeral has come to be known as the traditional and ceremonial way to mourn a President of the United States. While throughout the nation’s history not every Commander in Chief has opted for such a tribute, in the modern era, it has become common practice. In fact, discussions about a president’s preferences as to how they will be honored after their death take place

102. Inauguration Day Preview

Jan 17 2025 3 mins  
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sets the stage for what traditionally takes place on Inauguration Day, and previews the next season of The White House 1600 Sessions.

101. The People’s House: A White House Experience

Dec 09 2024 15 mins  
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy founded the White House Historical Association over 60 years ago, famously saying “The White House belongs to the American people.” The Association’s mission has been clear since day one: preserving, protecting, and providing public access to White House History. That mission continues through The People’s House: A White House Experience at 170

100. Cooking at the White House

Nov 13 2024 42 mins  
The White House showcases the very best of American culinary arts, whether it's providing the president some much needed nourishment after a long day or using a meal as a diplomatic tool between two nations. White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford spent almost 30 years working in the White House kitchens before retiring in July 2024. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White H

99. Queen Elizabeth II and America’s Presidents

Oct 17 2024 50 mins  
Given how things started almost 250 years ago between the United States and King George III, the history of diplomacy and friendship between the White House and Queen Elizabeth II is quite remarkable. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, talked about this history with David Charter, the assistant editor (US) of The Times and author of Royal Audienc

98. Conversations on the American Presidency

Sep 25 2024 37 mins  
In his latest book “The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency,” David Rubenstein, renowned financier, philanthropist, and host of PBS’s History with David Rubenstein, takes a fresh look at what it means to hold the office of President of the United States. It is a role that has been shaped and defined by only 45 individuals, and one that contains a great d

97. Making the Presidential Seal

Aug 20 2024 49 mins  
From podium plaques and flags to the doors of the presidential limo and Air Force One, it is always present: fifty stars encircling an eagle whose talons hold bundles of olive branches and arrows, and around that circle of stars, a band with the words “Seal of the President of the United States.” If you’ve ever wondered where that design came from and how those symbols are ma

96. Blair House: The President’s Guest House

Jul 30 2024 62 mins  
Blair House, known as the president's guest house, is located mere steps from the White House. 2024 marks the bicentennial of the building of Blair House, which for 200 years has been a quiet but integral part of our nation's history. Today, Blair House is actually a complex made up of four townhouses. Originally built in 1824 for Doctor Joseph Lovell, the first Surgeon General of

95. Presidential Leadership Lessons

Jun 11 2024 43 mins  
President of the United States and Commander in Chief are titles that only 45 unique men over 46 presidencies have carried since the office was established in 1789. It is a role that is continually being shaped and reshaped through each decade, presidency, personality, and each of the character traits that have defined these men. Author, historian, and attorney, Talmage Boston, se