
Presented by the White House Historical Association
The Kennedy Center: A Living Memorial
- Host
- Stewart McLaurin
- Guest
- Deborah Rutter, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Date
- 1/22/20
- Duration
- 38 minutes
After President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wanted her husband to be remembered through a national cultural center that would serve as a living memorial. In this episode, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Deborah Rutter, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, about the origins of the Kennedy Center, its mission to honor President Kennedy's legacy through support of the arts, and how it has had a relationship with the White House over time.
Episodes
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A Tour of White House History with Michael Beschloss
Featuring Historian Michael Beschloss
-
St. John’s, the Church of the Presidents
Featuring Rev. Robert Fisher, Rector at St. John’s Church
-
Special Episode: Reflections on the First 49 Episodes
Featuring Various Guests from Previous Episodes
-
Wine and the White House
Featuring Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., Chairman of the White House Historical Association
-
White House Transitions
Featuring Dr. Martha Kumar, Director, White House Transition Project, Tina Tchen, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
-
The Decorator-In-Chief
Featuring Michael S. Smith, Interior Designer for the Obama White House

President of the White House Historical Association
As President of the White House Historical Association Stewart McLaurin leads the nonpartisan, nonprofit in its mission to preserve, protect, and provide access to White House history. As a lifelong student of history, Stewart is an avid reader and storyteller. His first book, White House Miscellany was published this past year and he authors a quarterly column in the White House History Journal. Drawing on his own experiences, relationships, and knowledge he provides listeners with a front row seat to history at the White House.