
Presented by the White House Historical Association
Presidential Portraits
- Host
- Stewart McLaurin
- Guest
- Betty Monkman, Former White House Curator, and William Kloss, Art Historian
- Date
- 2/23/17
- Duration
- 34 minutes
Portrait artists have captured the image and personality of our presidents throughout history, providing a record of their time in office and highlighting their accomplishments and leadership. It wasn’t always tradition to commission a portrait for the president, as it is today. Each one comes with a unique story, from the symbolism in the portrait to the artist who painted it. White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin talks to Former White House Curator Betty Monkman and Art Historian William Kloss to learn more about the history of these portraits, how the White House began to collect them, and the stories they tell.
Browse the Presidential Portraits and First Lady Portraits.
Episodes
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Remembering President John F. Kennedy: A 60th Anniversary Special
Featuring Luci Baines Johnson, Daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson; John Dalton, Former U.S. Secretary of the Navy; Robert McGee, member of the White House Historical Association’s National Council on White House History
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Home Again with Susan Ford Bales
Featuring Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford
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U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies
Featuring Anita McBride, founding member of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education and co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies
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An Ordinary Man: President Gerald R. Ford
Featuring Richard Norton Smith, historian and author of "An Ordinary Man: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford"
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Bunny Mellon and the White House Rose Garden
Featuring Thomas Lloyd, co-author of “Garden Secrets of Bunny Mellon” and member of the White House Historical Association’s National Council
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The Ten Habits of Good Citizens
Featuring Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations
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At the Helm with John H. Dalton
Featuring John H. Dalton, Former Secretary of the Navy and emeritus member of the White House Historical Association's Board of Directors

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.