
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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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"
-
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
-
The Ten Habits of Good Citizens
Featuring Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations
-
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
-
A Coronation Preview with the British Ambassador to the U.S.
Featuring Dame Karen Pierce, the British Ambassador to the United States
-
250 Years of American Political Leadership
Featuring Iain Dale, award-winning British author and radio and podcast host
-
Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President
Featuring Jonathan Darman, author of “Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President"

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.