While people around the world mourned President John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, there was a remarkable group of young men who had to perform an unimaginable mission: burying their Commander in Chief. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin speaks with James L. Felder, who was a U.S. Army Sergeant when he led the Honor Guard Ceremonial Unit that buried President Kennedy. Felder helped carry and protect the casket of President Kennedy from the moment his body returned from Texas, until the moment he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963. It was a solemn burial ceremony, and what took place at the very end could have been lost to history: the members of the Honor Guard, in a powerful, spontaneous gesture of respect, removed their hats and laid them around the wreath that adorned the president's grave. That gesture meant so much to the Kennedy family that they commissioned a sculpture of the wreath and hats with the idea that it would eventually adorn President Kennedy’s permanent gravesite. Generations later, it's easy to forget that where President Kennedy rests today in Arlington National Cemetery is actually about 20 feet from his initial burial location of November 1963. The site was moved in 1967 to accommodate the millions of visitors. Stewart speaks with Elinor Crane of Oak Spring Garden Foundation as well as Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, about the creation of the memorial wreath that was made but never installed. You won’t want to miss hearing the firsthand account from James Felder, to learn about the powerful moment of the Honor Guard removing their hats, and get a special look at pieces from the sculpture.

While people around the world mourned President John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, there was a remarkable group of young men who had to perform an unimaginable mission: burying their Commander in Chief. In this episode of The White House 1600 Sessions, White House Historical Association president Stewart McLaurin speaks with James L. Felder, who was a U.S. Army Sergeant when he led the Honor Guard Ceremonial Unit that buried President Kennedy. Felder helped carry and protect the casket of President Kennedy from the moment his body returned from Texas, until the moment he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963. It was a solemn burial ceremony, and what took place at the very end could have been lost to history: the members of the Honor Guard, in a powerful, spontaneous gesture of respect, removed their hats and laid them around the wreath that adorned the president's grave. That gesture meant so much to the Kennedy family that they commissioned a sculpture of the wreath and hats with the idea that it would eventually adorn President Kennedy’s permanent gravesite. Generations later, it's easy to forget that where President Kennedy rests today in Arlington National Cemetery is actually about 20 feet from his initial burial location of November 1963. The site was moved in 1967 to accommodate the millions of visitors. Stewart speaks with Elinor Crane of Oak Spring Garden Foundation as well as Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, about the creation of the memorial wreath that was made but never installed. You won’t want to miss hearing the firsthand account from James Felder, to learn about the powerful moment of the Honor Guard removing their hats, and get a special look at pieces from the sculpture.

There are many fun, wonderful opportunities to learn about White House history all across the country. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, takes a road trip to the outskirts of Williamsburg, Virginia, to see what has become a social media hotspot: the Presidents Heads. Situated within a recycling facility on private property is a collection of 42 massive, decaying statues featuring the likenesses of U.S. presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush. Each statue is made of concrete and steel, averaging 15 feet in height, and weighing approximately 1.5 tons. They were rescued from a bankrupt outdoor museum called Presidents Park. When the park closed over a decade ago, the land was sold and the statues were set to be destroyed. Local businessman Howard Hankins was hired to do the job but he just couldn’t bring himself to destroy the statues, so he transported them about 11 miles down the road to his property. Howard has allowed history buffs and photographers John Plashal and Fred Schneider to host organized tours several times a year where people can buy tickets to visit the statues (which cannot be seen from the road, so showing up unannounced is discouraged and considered trespassing). Stewart met John and Fred on one of their tours, and also encountered a few excited visitors. Come along for a ride and learn more about this remarkable piece of Americana.

There are many fun, wonderful opportunities to learn about White House history all across the country. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, takes a road trip to the outskirts of Williamsburg, Virginia, to see what has become a social media hotspot: the Presidents Heads. Situated within a recycling facility on private property is a collection of 42 massive, decaying statues featuring the likenesses of U.S. presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush. Each statue is made of concrete and steel, averaging 15 feet in height, and weighing approximately 1.5 tons. They were rescued from a bankrupt outdoor museum called Presidents Park. When the park closed over a decade ago, the land was sold and the statues were set to be destroyed. Local businessman Howard Hankins was hired to do the job but he just couldn’t bring himself to destroy the statues, so he transported them about 11 miles down the road to his property. Howard has allowed history buffs and photographers John Plashal and Fred Schneider to host organized tours several times a year where people can buy tickets to visit the statues (which cannot be seen from the road, so showing up unannounced is discouraged and considered trespassing). Stewart met John and Fred on one of their tours, and also encountered a few excited visitors. Come along for a ride and learn more about this remarkable piece of Americana.

First Lady Barbara Bush is being honored by the United States Postal Service with a Forever Stamp in what would be the centennial year of her birth. Born in New York on June 8th, 1925, Barbara Pierce would go on to marry George Herbert Walker Bush and become an iconic, unelected public servant in her own right. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, talks about the life and legacy of Mrs. Bush with three special guests: Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; Chas Fagan, the artist who painted the Official White House Portrait of Mrs. Bush which is featured on the new Forever Stamp; and Andrew Roberts, President of  the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush said she wanted to do something every day to help others and was a passionate supporter of the life-changing power of learning how to read. Her lasting legacy of service can be seen through her family, friends, and the Foundation which continues to support literacy efforts to this day in her name.

First Lady Barbara Bush is being honored by the United States Postal Service with a Forever Stamp in what would be the centennial year of her birth. Born in New York on June 8th, 1925, Barbara Pierce would go on to marry George Herbert Walker Bush and become an iconic, unelected public servant in her own right. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, talks about the life and legacy of Mrs. Bush with three special guests: Pierce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, and the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; Chas Fagan, the artist who painted the Official White House Portrait of Mrs. Bush which is featured on the new Forever Stamp; and Andrew Roberts, President of  the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush said she wanted to do something every day to help others and was a passionate supporter of the life-changing power of learning how to read. Her lasting legacy of service can be seen through her family, friends, and the Foundation which continues to support literacy efforts to this day in her name.

Come set sail and join us for a special tour of Honey Fitz, a presidential yacht. For almost a century, from 1880 to 1977, every president had access to a yacht. They were used as tools of diplomacy and hospitality, and quite often, as a means of escape and relaxation. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, traveled to Jupiter, Florida to see one of these yachts which is now privately owned by businessman Charles Modica. Stewart speaks with Charles as well as Captains Gregory Albritton and Katelyn Kiefer, who oversaw the incredible restoration. First built in 1931 and named Lenore, the vessel was requisitioned for use during World War II and used for patrol duty by the U.S. Coast Guard. Then she was used by five presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Richard Nixon, and had a different name under each president. President Eisenhower named her Barbara Anne after his granddaughter, and President Kennedy christened the yacht in honor of his maternal grandfather, John Francis Fitzgerald, whose nickname, of course, was Honey Fitz. After being decommissioned and sold to a private owner in 1971, the yacht passed through several different hands and underwent modifications. Now, Honey Fitz has been lovingly brought back to life to resemble the time it was used by President Kennedy and his family. They were meticulous in replicating details, from cushions designed from sketches by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, to the bell on the bow of the boat. Follow along to learn more about floating White House history.

The White House Historical Association publication Away from the White House: Presidential Escapes, Retreats, and Vacations by Lawrence Knutson presents a lively and interesting slice of the presidency that most of us know little about: How the president relaxes away from the White House. You can purchase a copy here.

On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Lincoln departed the White House and arrived at Ford’s Theatre to see a production of Our American Cousin. After four long, tumultuous years, the end of the Civil War was in sight. President Lincoln was known for his love of attending live theater, and even though he arrived late that evening, the production came to a halt when the orchestra played “Hail to the Chief” and the audience took to its feet and cheered. Sadly, what was to be an evening of celebration and respite turned into one of the most solemn moments in White House history. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, hosts a special episode dedicated to the 160th anniversary of that fateful night when an assassin’s bullet caused a mortal wound that would take President Lincoln’s life the following morning. Stewart is joined by Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford’s Theatre, who guides us through the events of that April evening, including a special look at the vestibule just outside the President’s box where John Wilkes Booth stood moments before he pulled the trigger. Following the tour, Stewart is joined by Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, who shares some unique objects in the museum’s archives from that night. Those items include several not on public display such as the china cup the president last drank from at the White House before leaving for the theater, as well as the bloodied cuff of the young doctor who was at Ford’s Theatre that evening and the first to attend to President Lincoln on the scene. Join us as we honor and remember Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.

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 times. The result is a collection of over a dozen pieces of artwork that capture lesser known moments of presidential life at the White House. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with Peter about how these moments were chosen, the meticulous research that went into these paintings, and how Peter is able to create works that transport viewers and students to another time and another place in American history. Stewart and Peter discuss three of his extraordinary paintings that are part of the White House Historical Association’s collection:  A Vision Takes Form, 1796 about the construction of the White House; Tiber Creek: The Bathers which depicts a moment when President John Quincy Adams escaped a leaking boat; and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy at Malmaison, 1961 which shows Mrs. Kennedy visiting the home of Empress Josephine of France. The Empress’s silk draped bed chamber appears to have inspired the redesign and decoration of the Blue Room at the White House during the Kennedy administration.

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 almost as soon as they take office. 

Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sat down with two individuals who had a hand in the planning and performance of these national events: Michael Wagner, the former Chief of National Event Planning for Joint Task Force - National Capital Region, and Retired Major General Galen B. Jackman, former Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington. 

Maj. Gen. Jackman became a familiar face as he personally escorted former First Lady Nancy Reagan through the events of President Ronald Reagan’s State Funeral. President Reagan's funeral set the standard for what we expect to see today, with ceremonies held at a former president’s place of residence, events in Washington, D.C., and then the final burial…all taking place in a span of 7 to 10 days. We were privileged to see that take place again in January 2025 for former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living president in history. 

Those who serve in the JTF-NCR and Military District of Washington help keep the nation’s capital safe, honor each presidency from Inauguration to their final passing, as well as perform other ceremonial duties across the country and around the world. This is a rare opportunity to hear the personal stories of two people who served their nation with the utmost professionalism and patriotism.