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In this series of video clips, Historian Lawrence L. Knutson talks about presidential vacations and retreats. He offers anecdotes for presidents including Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, Lyndon B. Johnson, and William J. Clinton. Remarks are taken from his book Escaping the Gilded Cage: An Illustrated History of Presidential Vacations and Retreats.

Knutson is a journalist who retired in 2003 after a 37-year career with the Associated Press, where he covered Congress, the State Department, presidential campaigns, and presidents ranging from Lyndon B. Johnson to George W. Bush. He is currently working on an illustrated history of presidential vacations and retreats for the White House Historical Association.

President Truman pictured with members of the press (from left) Harry Walsh, Alfonso Muto, Charles Portz, M.H. Posey, and Harvey George in Key West c. 1950.

United States Navy;Harry S. Truman Library Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

Historian Lawrence Knutson talks about Grover Cleveland's unusual vacations including his honeymoon and surgery at sea.

White House Historical Association

President and Mrs. Cleveland fishing at their Honeymoon cottage, Deer Park Maryland, with members of the press looking on. As illustrated in Life (New York, August 26, 1886).

Life Magazine courtesy of the Library of Congress

Historian Lawrence Knutson talks about President George H.W. Bush's "perpetual motion" vacations.

White House Historical Association

The Bush family pictured at Walker's Point, the summer home of President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush, Kennebunkport, Maine.

George Bush Presidential Library

Historian Lawrence Knutson talks about President Lyndon B. Johnson's favorite form of relaxation while on vacation

White House Historical Association

President Johnson in his amphicar with guests.

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, photo by Yoichi R. Okamoto.

President Taft golfing at Chevy Chase, 1909.

Library of Congress

The Plunger.

U.S. Naval Historical Center

Historian Lawrence Knutson talks about President George H.W. Bush's "perpetual motion" vacations.

White House Historical Association

Historian Lawrence Knutson talks about sports and pastimes of the presidents while on vacation.

White House Historical Association

Historian Lawrence Knutson talks about the submarine rides Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt took.

White House Historical Association

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