Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association and Host of its Official Podcast, Will Serve as Our Next Guest Curator
The Raab Collection is pleased to announce its next Guest Curator, Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association.
Raab’s Guest Curators program, relaunched in 2024 in celebration of its 35th anniversary as dealers of important historical documents and autographs, invites prominent authors, historians, and leaders to curate a virtual exhibition of documents that stand out as personally inspiring or reflect their scholarly interests.
Stewart McLaurin serves as president of the White House Historical Association, which was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to share and preserve the rich history of the White House. In his eleven years as president, Stewart has expanded the Association’s cultural and educational programming through award-winning books, popular video series, and virtual and in-person events to ensure White House history is preserved for future generations.
“The Raab Collection and the White House Historical Association share a mutual respect for preservation and a passion for history. Learning about the importance of artifacts and leaders from the past brings stories to life and inspires the future,” said McLaurin.
McLaurin is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions, the Association’s official audio and video podcast devoted to exploring the history and untold stories of America’s most iconic residence and highest office. He is a member of the USA Today Board of Contributors and writes a monthly column about the history of the White House and our nation’s presidents and first ladies.
In addition, McLaurin is the author of three books including the 2021 anthology, James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House, which presents the life and work of the little known Irish-American architect handpicked by George Washington to design the President’s House, and which he recently adapted into a children’s book, The White House: Designed by James Hoban, Built by Many Hands.
About the White House Historical Association
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
Some of the Association’s recent projects include a new educational space, “The People’s House: A White House Experience;” a book, The White House: An Historic Guide; and the latest issue of White House History Quarterly.
The White House Historical Association is also responsible for the creation of the official White House Christmas Ornament. This year’s ornament honors President Jimmy Carter; its anchor shape, an iconic symbol of hope, represents Carter’s service in the U.S. Navy. 2023’s ornament was inspired by the Gerald Ford presidency.
About the Guest Curators Program at Raab
Several times a year, The Raab Collection invites authors, historians, and thought leaders to choose a selection of documents currently for sale with The Raab Collection and create a themed ‘exhibit’ with commentary by the Guest Curator. They share their experience and expertise, motivations and passions, bringing history to life in ways only they can. Previous Guest Curators have included Edward F. O’Keefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, and author Douglas Brinkley, among others.
At Raab, we are often on the front line of historical discovery. Many of the pieces we sell are unpublished or were acquired directly from the descendants or heirs of historical figures and collectors, often unseen by the general public or the research community before. This offers each Guest Curator robust and interesting material to highlight.
The exhibit curated by Stewart McLaurin will debut on the Raab website this week.
