White House Historical Association
A private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the history of the White House.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The White House Historical Association is a private, nonprofit educational and cultural organization established in 1961 through the efforts of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Its central purpose is to preserve the history, furnishings, art, architecture, and traditions associated with the White House and to make that history more accessible to the public. Although independent from the federal government, the association works closely with the first family, the White House chief usher, the White House curator, and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. The organization was created after Jacqueline Kennedy moved into the White House and became closely involved in documenting and preserving the Executive Residence. Its initial objectives included raising private funds for maintenance and renovation and producing an authoritative White House guidebook. Over time, the association developed into a broad historical, publishing, retail, research, and educational institution. It supports the care and interpretation of the state rooms and other parts of the White House Complex, assists with the acquisition and preservation of furnishings and artworks, and helps fund portraits, china, room restoration, and other historically significant projects. Public education is a major part of the association's work. It publishes the official White House guide and books on presidential, architectural, decorative-arts, and White House history. It also produces the quarterly journal White House History, organizes exhibitions and seminars, supports scholarships and fellowships, and provides digital resources for researchers, teachers, and general audiences. Its David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, established with a major 2011 gift from David M. Rubenstein, serves as an educational and research center located at Decatur House. The association also operates public-facing retail and visitor services, including a bookstore and gift shop at the White House Visitor Center. Its annual White House Christmas ornament program, begun in 1981, has become one of its best-known recurring offerings. Since 1982, each ornament has generally commemorated a different president. The organization also produces wooden eggs distributed during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Digital activity has expanded the association's reach. It launched its 1600 Sessions podcast in 2017 and created a Digital Library in 2016, later expanding its technology partnership with Amazon Web Services. In 2018, it made approximately 25,000 organized and digitized White House history photographs available through its digital work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its Digital Resources for Distance Learning initiative expanded webinars and classroom materials for public-school teachers. In 2024, the association opened The People's House: A White House Experience, a 33,000-square-foot interactive museum in Washington, D.C. The attraction presents the building's history and operations through immersive displays, including replicas of the White House south facade and the Oval Office. The project broadened the association's role from publisher and preservation supporter into a major visitor-experience and museum operator. The association is funded primarily through private and corporate contributions, publications, gift items, and related activities, and manages the White House Acquisition Trust and White House Endowment Trust.
History
The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 after Jacqueline Kennedy became involved in documenting and preserving the White House during her time as first lady. The association was chartered on November 3, 1961, as a private nonprofit body intended to complement, rather than replace, the government's responsibility for the White House. Its original mission combined fundraising for maintenance and renovation with the creation of an official guidebook that could explain the building's history, architecture, rooms, furnishings, and changing role in American public life. The association gradually became an important intermediary between historical scholarship, presidential administration, and public education. It worked with the first family, the chief usher, the White House curator, and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House on the preservation and interpretation of the Executive Residence and the wider White House Complex. Its support has included assistance with room restoration, the acquisition of decorations and art, the commissioning or funding of state china for presidential administrations, and the production of portraits of presidents and first ladies. Publishing and educational work became core parts of the association's identity. It issued the official White House guide and a wide range of books and other media concerning presidential history, architecture, decorative arts, and the material culture of the White House. Its quarterly journal, White House History, provides a continuing forum for research and interpretation. The organization has also sponsored exhibitions, seminars, scholarships, and fellowships, including White House History Fellowships conducted with the Organization of American Historians. By the mid-1990s, books published by the association had sold more than eight million copies, illustrating the scale of its public-education reach at that time. The association developed a recognizable public-retail program in 1981, when it began selling a distinctive White House Christmas ornament each year. Starting in 1982, the ornaments generally honored individual presidents, creating a collectible chronology of presidential history. The program became a significant public-facing tradition, with hundreds of thousands of ornaments reported as being sold annually by 2019. The association also produces the wooden eggs distributed during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. A major institutional expansion followed David M. Rubenstein's 2011 donation of $10 million. The gift established the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at Decatur House, providing a dedicated platform for research, education, and public programming. Under President Stewart McLaurin, who began serving in 2014, the association has emphasized audience growth, educational programming, fundraising, and broader historical impact. Technology has further expanded the association's reach. It launched a Digital Library in 2016 and deepened its partnership with Amazon Web Services the following year. The 1600 Sessions podcast began in 2017. In 2018, the association made available a collection of approximately 25,000 photographs that it had organized and digitized. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it expanded online teacher training and classroom support through its Digital Resources for Distance Learning initiative, launched in April 2020. The association entered a new phase in 2024 with the opening of The People's House: A White House Experience. The 33,000-square-foot interactive museum provides a behind-the-scenes account of the building's history through immersive displays and replicas, including the south facade and Oval Office. This project extended the association's traditional preservation and publishing mission into a large-scale visitor attraction. Today, its funding model combines private and corporate contributions with revenue from publications and gift items, while its trusts support acquisition and endowment purposes.
- 2024
The People's House opens
[2]The association opened a 33,000-square-foot interactive museum in Washington, D.C., offering visitors an immersive interpretation of White House history.
- 2020
Distance-learning initiative launched
[1]The association expanded teacher webinars and online classroom materials through its Digital Resources for Distance Learning initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2018
Large historical photograph collection digitized
[1]Approximately 25,000 White House history photographs were organized and digitized for broader public access.
- 2017
1600 Sessions podcast introduced
[1]The association launched its recurring 1600 Sessions podcast as a digital channel for White House history and interpretation.
- 2016
Digital Library created
[1]The association created a Digital Library to improve online access to White House historical resources.
- 2014
Stewart McLaurin becomes president
[1]Stewart McLaurin began his tenure as president, with a stated focus on expanding audiences, programming, development, and institutional impact.
- 2011
David M. Rubenstein National Center established
[1]A $10 million gift from David M. Rubenstein supported the creation of the National Center for White House History at Decatur House.
- 1982
Ornaments begin honoring presidents
[1]The annual ornament program adopted a presidential commemorative focus, with each year's ornament generally honoring a different president.
- 1981
Annual Christmas ornament program begins
[1]The association began selling a distinctive White House Christmas ornament each year, creating a long-running public collectible program.
- 1961
Association chartered
[1]The White House Historical Association was established and chartered on November 3 through the efforts of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, with a mission centered on preservation, fundraising, and public interpretation.
Products and positioning
A trusted nonprofit steward and public educator for White House history, combining preservation support, scholarship, publishing, digital interpretation, educational programming, cultural retail, and immersive visitor experiences.
Interactive museum · 2024
The People's House: A White House Experience
Opened in 2024, The People's House is a 33,000-square-foot interactive museum devoted to the history and operation of the White House. Its exhibits provide visitors with a behind-the-scenes perspective and include replicas of the south facade and Oval Office. The attraction extends the association's traditional preservation and publishing work into an immersive public visitor experience.
Publication · 1961
Official White House guide
The official guide explains the history, architecture, rooms, furnishings, and institutional significance of the White House. It was one of the association's founding objectives and remains a central educational publication for visitors and readers seeking an accessible account of the building.
Historical collectible · 1981
White House Christmas ornaments
The association's annual Christmas ornament program began in 1981. From 1982 onward, each year's ornament generally commemorated a different president, turning the series into a collectible visual history of the presidency and the White House. The ornaments are primarily manufactured by Beacon Design at ChemArt in Rhode Island.
Quarterly journal
White House History
White House History is the association's quarterly journal covering the building's history, architecture, art, furnishings, occupants, and institutional development. It supports the organization's scholarly and educational mission while presenting research to an audience interested in presidential and American history.
Podcast · 2017
1600 Sessions
1600 Sessions is the association's podcast focused on White House history and interpretation. Launched in 2017, it provides a conversational digital format for historical topics, archival material, presidential traditions, and the people connected with the White House.
Research and education center · 2011
David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History
Established with David M. Rubenstein's 2011 contribution, the National Center for White House History operates under the association's umbrella at Decatur House. It supports research, educational programming, fellowships, seminars, and public understanding of White House history.
Digital archive · 2016
White House History Digital Archives
The association's digital archive and library provide online access to historical photographs, documents, educational material, and interpretive resources. The digital program expanded substantially after the creation of the Digital Library in 2016 and the digitization of approximately 25,000 photographs.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Digital Resources for Distance Learning
United States
The association expanded webinars for public-school teachers and supplied online classroom resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting its educational mission to remote learning conditions.
Outcome. The initiative strengthened the association's digital education offer and enabled teachers to access White House history materials without relying on in-person programming.
Brand decisions
2024
Opening of The People's HouseProduct launchBackground
The association aimed to provide a large-scale, public-facing interpretation of White House history beyond books, archives, and online resources.
Action taken
It opened The People's House: A White House Experience, a 33,000-square-foot interactive museum in Washington, D.C.
Aftermath
The project broadened the association's role into immersive museum operations and direct visitor engagement.
2016
Expansion into digital historical accessStrategyBackground
The association sought to make White House historical materials available beyond physical publications, research facilities, and visitor sites.
Action taken
It created a Digital Library and subsequently expanded its technology partnership with Amazon Web Services.
Aftermath
The association increased the scale and accessibility of its digital archive and online educational resources.
2011
Creation of the National Center for White House HistoryStrategyBackground
The association received a $10 million contribution from David M. Rubenstein intended to expand historical research and education.
Action taken
It established the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at Decatur House.
Aftermath
The center gave the association a dedicated institutional base for scholarship, fellowships, seminars, and educational programming.
Donation. $10 million contribution (2011)
1981
Launch of annual White House Christmas ornamentsProduct launchBackground
The association sought to broaden public engagement with White House history while generating support through publications and gift-item sales.
Action taken
It began issuing and selling a distinctive White House Christmas ornament each year; from 1982, the series generally honored individual presidents.
Aftermath
The ornament series became a long-running collectible program and one of the association's best-known public offerings.
Recent events
- 2024
White House Historical Association opens The People's House museum[2]
Product launch
The association opened The People's House: A White House Experience, an interactive 33,000-square-foot museum in Washington, D.C., featuring interpretive displays and replicas of the White House south facade and Oval Office.
- 2020
Association expands digital resources for distance learning[2]
Other
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the association developed a stronger program of teacher webinars and online classroom materials through its Digital Resources for Distance Learning initiative.
- 2018
White House historical photograph collection becomes available digitally[1]
Product launch
The association reported organizing and digitizing approximately 25,000 photographs documenting White House history and making the collection available through its digital work.
- 2017
1600 Sessions podcast launched[1]
Product launch
The association introduced 1600 Sessions, a recurring podcast devoted to White House history and related topics.
- 2016
White House Historical Association establishes digital library[1]
Product launch
The association created a Digital Library to broaden online access to White House historical materials and subsequently expanded its technology relationship with Amazon Web Services.
- 2011
David M. Rubenstein supports national center for White House history[1]
Other
A $10 million contribution from David M. Rubenstein enabled the creation of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History.
Sources2 sources
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