A New and Different 50th Anniversary Edition
The White House: An Historic Guide is published by the White House Historical Association, which for fifty years has sponsored projects of all kinds that interpret the historic White House to the American people. Founded in 1961 as a part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s program for restoring and teaching about the White House, the guide was the first publication of the association with Mrs. Kennedy actively participating in the editing. For half a century, each First Lady has continued a tradition of involvement with the association and we are pleased to open this special 50th anniversary edition with a letter from First Lady Michelle Obama.
The new White House Guide is different from former guide books that were designed to accompany visitors when they toured the White House, room by room. In our time the guide has a purpose it never had before. Modern considerations of heavy use of the White House for the business of the presidency, as well as its first purpose of residence for the President and his family, combined with security measures, made it necessary to greatly reduce the extent of public tours. Limited visits, however, need not preclude one’s enjoyment of getting to know the President’s House.
The new edition is tailored to bring you an accurate account of the rich history of the president’s house, and show you its current appearance without the necessity of going inside. If the reader decides to go on tour, the guidebook is an equally valuable companion. A special section on architecture is devised so that you may study the unique features of the house from the street; it notes architectural details as well as historical anecdotes that relate to different parts of the exterior and ground.
A wealth of modern and historic drawings and never before published photographs takes you through the interior of the house. The East Room, Red Room and others, each described in terms not only of interesting furniture and pictures, but human history that has taken place in each room over two centuries of presidential life. The kitchen and press room are featured in chapters new to this edition. The 50th Anniversary White House Guide is designed for your enjoyment whether you are standing on Pennsylvania Avenue out front or back home in your easy chair. President Neil Horstman said,
We hope it also exemplifies the spirit of the presidents and their families who have called the White House home yet always understood that it belongs to the American people.
The White House Historical Association was established in 1961 as a non-profit organization to enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. All proceeds from its trusts, publications and other items are used to fund acquisitions of historic furnishings and artwork from the permanent collection, to assist in the preservation of the public rooms, and further its educational mission.
The White House: An Historic Guide
By William Seale, Betty Monkman and William Allman
White House Historical Association
225 images, 240 pages
7×10
ISBN 978-1-931917-06-3 $15.95
Library of Congress Catalog Control 2010929642
Publication Date: May, 2011
For a review copy please fax request on letterhead to Maria Downs
(202) 218.4303
