Death comes to every home, including the White House. From the loss of cherished family members to presidential funerals, there are many established White House traditions surrounding grief. Stewart McLaurin explores the history of presidential mourning with the Association’s Senior Historian, Matthew Costello, Calvin Coolidge biographer Amity Shlaes, and Kevin Eckstrom of the Washington National Cathedral.

From your family to the First Family, the winter holidays are a special time of year. Stewart McLaurin explores the history behind Christmas traditions at the White House, talking to Jennifer Pickens, author of  “Christmas at the White House,” former Chief Usher Gary Walters, and former Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier.

From entertainment to diplomacy, music has played an important role in White House history. Stewart McLaurin talks to Colonel Jason Fettig, Director of the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, about the organization that has provided the soundtrack for the White House and America for more than 200 years. The Marine Band is featured in The White House Historical Association’s latest publication, Music at the White House.

The White House Historical Association has been preserving and sharing White House history since its founding by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. Stewart McLaurin interviews two people who were there from the beginning - Nash Castro and Leonard Silverstein - and former Chief Usher Gary Walters about the impact of the Association over the past 56 years.

The White House has always shaped the lives of the Presidents and First Families who have lived there, and reflected the mood and times of the country at large. Stewart McLaurin talks to presidential historian Michael Beschloss about some of his favorite stories from White House history, and the important role the Executive Mansion plays, both symbolic and day-to-day for Presidents and the nation.

Who takes care of the thousands of historic artifacts in the White House, cataloguing and preserving everything from presidential portraits to presidential china? And how does that person balance the needs of a building that is both a museum and symbol of American democracy, as well as an office and a family home? Stewart D. McLaurin interviews former White House Curator William Allman about his forty-year career caring for a house full of American treasures through eight presidential administrations.

How do you plan for a State Dinner with hundreds of guests, a private meal with a King and Queen or an historic peace treaty signing? What does it take to host several public events each day, as well as private events for the President, First Lady and their family? Stewart D. McLaurin interviews former White House Social Secretaries Ann Stock and Amy Zantzinger for a behind-the-scenes look at planning events in the Executive Mansion.

The White House has seen many physical changes throughout its more than 200 years of history. But its original stone walls, taken from a quarry in Aquia, Virginia, have always endured, surviving the fires of war and major twentieth century renovations. Stewart D. McLaurin interviews author William Seale about his new book, “A White House of Stone,” which tells the story of the original construction of the President’s House - and the men who built it - from the ground up. 

The burning of the White House by the British in 1814 during James Madison’s presidency represented a low point in our political relations with England - but its restoration during James Monroe’s administration demonstrated a high point of our cultural connections to France. For the 200th anniversary of Monroe’s moving back into the White House, Stewart McLaurin interviews White Historical Association Historians Edward Lengel and Matthew Costello about the British invasion and a French restoration.

Spring is a special time in our nation’s capital, when cherry blossoms bloom and the White House garden comes alive. Some spring traditions - like the famous White House Easter Egg Roll - date back to the 19th Century, while others are more recent additions. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews Jim McDaniel, former Director of the White House Liaison for the National Park Service, and Ellie Schafer, former Director of the White House Visitors Office, about preserving the grounds and gardens and planning the iconic events that welcome thousands of visitors to the White House each year to celebrate the beginning of spring.